TNT coach Chot Reyes in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO CITY—TNT got a pair of clutch baskets from Calvin Oftana to bring down Rain or Shine, 108-107, in coach Chot Reyes’ return for a winning start to its PBA Philippine Cup campaign Wednesday at Ynares Center here.
Oftana, who finished with 23 points and 14 rebounds, hit a go-ahead three and converted a left-handed layup inside the final two minutes as the Tropang Giga weathered the Elasto Painters’ determined stand to come away with a hard-fought victory.
His five straight points gave TNT a 108-104 lead after trailing by a high of 10 in the third quarter.
SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Philippine Cup
RR Pogoy added 22 points and rookie Kim Aurin came off the bench for a season-high 21 for the Tropang Giga.
New acquisition Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser came up with 15 points and 14 rebounds, two days after being acquired from NLEX in a three-team trade aimed at shoring up TNT’s lineup for the PBA All-Filipino tournament.
TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana in the PBA Philippine Cup. –PBA IMAGES
Reyes was back in charge after handing the reins to team manager Jojo Lastimosa in the last two conferences to focus on his previous role as coach of Gilas Pilipinas.
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Rookie Adrian Nocum finished with 20 points but suffered from cramps during the fourth quarter and didn’t return. Santi Santillan also had 20 points and 11 rebounds for Rain or Shine.
Nocum and Santillan were responsible for putting Rain or Shine up 61-51 in the third, before TNT inched its way back in the contest.
TNT vs RAIN OR SHINE SCORES
TNT 108—Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 107—Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Demusis 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0.
Quarters: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107.