TNT will look to make sure there will be no sloppy starts this time as the Tropang 5G seek a commanding lead over Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals.
Calvin Oftana and TNT Tropang 5G look to press their advantage when they take on the Meralco Bolts in Game 2 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinals on Wednesday, Jan. 7.
Tip off is at 7:30 p.m. at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
[RELATED STORY: PBA: Chot Reyes owns up to TNT's sloppy start in come-from-behind win over Meralco in semis opener]
TNT drew first blood with a 100–95 comeback win in Game 1, erasing a massive first-half deficit behind a blistering second-half surge.
Oftana led the charge with 28 points, punctuating his night with two pressure-packed free throws that sealed the win with 21.1 seconds left.
It was Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy, though who ignited the second half rally, combining for 18 points in a decisive 28–13 third quarter that flipped the game’s momentum.
Nambatac finished with 17 points, while Pogoy and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 16 and 14, respectively, as the Tropang 5G once again showed their resilience—much like their elimination-round comeback against Meralco.
They are expected to take the same major role anew as TNT aims to strike again and seize a commanding series lead.
(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)
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[Editor’s note: This article was written by a member of One Sports Digital with the help of AI and reviewed by editorial staff for accuracy.]