TNT Rookie Mikey Williams. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT opened up the championship round on a flurry, punishing Magnolia, 88-70, to take Game 1 of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals Wednesday at DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Tropang Giga opened up the affair with a decent 10-point lead, 24-14, but widened their distance in the second quarter with a 19-7 run and never looked back.
Game 2 is on Friday at 6 pm.
“I thought the most important thing was to match their effort because Magnolia really comes out and plays with a lot of effort,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. “So we focused our attention on making sure that we were able to match their energy and effort.”
TNT not only matched whatever intangibles the Hotshots brought, but the Tropang Giga also effectively shut out Magnolia on the offensive end.
The Hotshots’ total offensive output was its lowest this tournament and 27.4 percent conversion rate was the worst this season and third-worst in franchise history.
Magnolia, which went by the Purefoods Tender Juicy Giants at that time, shot 26.6% in an 88-68 loss to Alaska on May 30 2008 and 27.3% in an 82-76 defeat to Rain or Shine on December 7, 2008.
Mikey Williams showed out in his first finals game with 21 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals while Poy Erram added 14 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks.
Jackson Corpuz had 12 points and 11 rebounds for the Hotshots while Calvin Abueva had a similar line of 11 points and 11 rebounds.
The Tropang Giga are monitoring the status of big man Kelly Williams after he strained his back going for a dunk midway through the third.