TNT coach Chot Reyes made the necessary adjustments at halftime to flip the script on Meralco in Game 1 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals Sunday, Jan. 4.
TNT head coach Chot Reyes owned up to his wards' woebegone first-half performance in their 100-95 comeback win over Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal opener Sunday, Jan. 4.
This after the Tropang 5G trailed 31-52 in the first 24 minutes of action before discovering their groove to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series.
“That’s on me,” said Reyes after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
The Bolts just found the holes in the Tropang 5G's plan early on, before the latter stopped the bleeding by making the right adjustments in the second half.
“We prepared a game plan that were picked apart. The players were simply following and executing the defensive game plan we prepared, and Meralco picked it apart,” said Reyes.
[WATCH: TNT prevails over Meralco in Game 1 of semis | PBA Highlights]
RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac combined for 18 points in a 28-13 third quarter assault that changed the complexion of the match.
Rey Nambatac reacts during Game 1 of the PBA semifinals. | Photo: RM Chua/One Sports
But it was Calvin Oftana who topscored for TNT with 28 points, none bigger than the two free throws that gave the team a 98-95 lead with only 21.1 seconds left to play.
He also had seven rebounds and two assists.
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Nambatac added 17 markers, while Pogoy and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser scored 16 and 14, respectively.
“We had to make sure that we made the right adjustments at halftime. I think 'yon ang nangyari,” said Reyes.
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Chris Banchero paced Meralco with 16 points, four rebounds and two assists.
CJ Cansino heated up early but waned in the final 24 minutes and ended up with 14 points, while Chris Newsome and Raymond Almazan submitted 13 markers apiece.
TNT vs. Meralco Scores:
TNT 100 – Oftana 28, Nambatac 17, Pogoy 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Heading 9, Williams 8, Khobuntin 6, Galinato 2, Jalalon 0, Enciso 0, Erram 0
Meralco 95 – Banchero 16, Cansino 14, Newsome 13, Almazan 13, Hodge 8, Black 6, Reyson 6, Rios 6, Quinto 5, Jose 4, Bates 4
Quarterscores: 26-38, 46-62, 74-75, 100-95
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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.
He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.