The TNT Tropang Giga have avoided further complications in their hopes of salvaging a quarterfinals spot.
The Jolas Lastimosa-led squad dominated the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 116-96, at the 2023-2024 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
“It’s something that we had to earn,” said the former Alaska Aces star following their victory. “We know we’ve been struggling, and it’s not something that we were avoiding.”
“It's a fact of life in this conference,” he added.
TNT now completes the quarterfinals cast, and they will face the red-hot Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the next round, which is why Jolas is hoping for TNT to further resolve their problems entering the playoffs.
“But we’re hoping that we can fix our problems defensively going into the quarterfinals against Magnolia.”
“Magnolia’s been number one this season, and they’re a tough team to crack, but I just hope that we can improve our game little by little. Hopefully, we can have a really good competition against Magnolia,” he expressed.
Kim Aurin was TNT’s star for this game, with the former Perpetual Altas putting up 18 points and three rebounds, while Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson had 35 points, 11 times, and nine boards.
A close contest in the third period with Tropang Giga only leading by one, 61-60, TNT charged on a 19-10 run to create an 80-70 lead after a lay-in by Henry Galinato at the 2:58 mark of the same frame.
TNT used this to increase their lead to as much as 26, and that proved to be enough to send Phoenix into the fourth seed as they fell to 8-3 in the year.
They will still have a twice-to-beat advantage against the No. 5 Meralco Bolts.
TNT, on the other hand, improved to 5-6. They avoided the need to face their sister squad NLEX Road Warriors to determine who will enter the playoffs.
Boosting TNT's hopes is the return of Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy who played nine and 20 minutes for their squad, respectively.
“We’re just happy to see him. First prognosis is six months, he’s gonna be out, but he’s back in three months,” said Lastimosa about Pogoy who finally is healthy following his heart condition.
“That’s great news for all of us, not only on a career standpoint, but just for Roger being healthy again,” he added.
Meanwhile, Phoenix concluded their elimination round campaign tied with San Miguel and Barangay Ginebra in the standings, but their inferior quotient slid them down to no.4.
Heading their offensive was Jonathan Williams who had a 21-point, 14-rebound contest. Jayjay Alejandro contributed 12, while Sean Manganti and Tyler Tio gave 10 markers each.
The scores:
TNT 116 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Oftana 19, Aurin 18, Heruela 14, Pogoy 11, Galinato 6, K. Williams 4, Castro 3, Tungcab 3, Montalbo 3, Cruz 0, Tolomia 0, Khobuntin 0, Ponferrada 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0
PHOENIX 96 – J.Williams 21, Alejandro 12, Tio 10, Manganti 10, Perkins 9, Rivero 7, Soyud 6, Jazul 5, Daves 4, Mocon 4, Tuffin 4, Verano 3, Muyang 1, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Garcia 0
QUARTERS: 23-27, 51-53, 88-78, 116-96
