TNT refused to back down despite a 1-2 series deficit against San Miguel and was rewarded with an emphatic Game 4 win in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, Jan. 28.
On a night when June Mar Fajardo celebrated another milestone, TNT played the spoiler's role.
The Tropang 5G didn’t seem fazed by Fajardo winning a record-extending 13th Best Player of the Conference as they went on to rain on his and San Miguel’s parade with a 110-87 win in Game 4 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals Wednesday, Jan. 28.
No one was as pleased as TNT coach Chot Reyes with how his wards performed to tie the best-of-seven series at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
“Anytime you come out with a victory like this, it's always a combination of both,” said Reyes, referring to his team's playing well on both ends of the floor.
“But it’s very important for us to get our offense on track, because the way to beat a team like San Miguel is to make sure you’re scoring on them.”
[ALSO READ: PBA: San Miguel star June Mar Fajardo cops record-extending 13th BPC plum]
June Mar Fajardo limited in first quarter, Calvin Oftana sizzles
Calvin Oftana got it going on the scoring end, putting up 29 points built on five three-pointers he spiked with six rebounds, four steals and a block.
But it was Jordan Heading who went off early, scoring 11 points in a 35-18 opening salvo that set the stage up for the Tropang 5G's one-sided victory.
Calvin Oftana stars for TNT in Game 4 of the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals. | Photo: PBA
The hot-starting TNT even turned it up a notch in the second half, where they extended their lead to as many as 35 points, 82-47.
Heading wound up with 17 points and six rebounds, while Rey Nambatac added 13 markers, five boards, three assists, a steal, and a block.
“We worked on that (offense). We thought long about that. Fortunately, we shot well from the field for the first time in the series. But, I think, the most important thing is we put a complete game together,” said Reyes, whose team converted 37 of their 74 attempts from the field.
June Mar Fajardo was held scoreless in the curtain raiser but still ended up with 18 points and 16 rebounds. He also had two assists and two steals, but couldn’t will his team back from too deep a hole.
Don Trollano scored 13 points, while Cjay Perez could not conjure magic this time after scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter in the previous match.
Perez finished with 11 points this time, while also registering two rebounds, four assists and a block.
TNT vs. San Miguel Scores:
TNT 110 – Oftana 29, Heading 17, Nambatac 13, Williams 8, Enciso 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 7, Galinato 6, Khobuntin 6, Pogoy 6, Aurin 4, Jalalon 2, Ferrer 2, Erram 2, Nieto 0, Hill 0
San Miguel 87– Fajardo 18, Trollano 13, Perez 11, Tautuaa 9, Cruz 9, Cahilig 8, Rosales 4, Miller 4, Tiongson 3, Calma 3, Teng 3, Brondial 2, Mantua 0, Lassiter 0, Ross 0
Quarterscores: 35-18, 65-40, 87-61, 110-87
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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.