PBA: TNT completes escape job vs Magnolia to book semis berth

Kelly Williams and TNT Tropang Giga celebrate after eliminating Magnolia Hotshots and booking a semifinals berth in the PBA Philippine Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

TNT survived Magnolia yet again as Kelly Williams’ two freethrows with two seconds left led to an 80-79 victory for a trip to the semifinals of the PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Williams calmly drained both charities after being fouled by Rafi Reavis while going for a putback before the Tropang 5G forced the Hotshots to a turnover on the next possession to complete a dramatic triumph despite needing to win twice entering the quarterfinals.

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The Grand Slam dreams of TNT are still alive after marching into the Final Four against either NLEX or Rain or Shine in a best-of-seven series.

The semis will start on Wednesday.

TNT Tropang 5G’s Roger Pogoy during a PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

Before Williams’ foul shots, Magnolia took the lead as rookie Jerom Lastimosa found an open Ian Sangalang underneath for a 79-78 lead with six seconds left.

Jordan Heading went for a four-pointer off the inbound on the next play but missed, then Williams got fouled by Reavis which led to the winning free throws.

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It was a disappointing exit for Magnolia, which started the conference on a promising note with a 6-0 record before ending the elims at 8-3 after beating TNT to take the twice-to-beat.

TNT forced a decider after escaping with an 89-88 victory last Wednesday at Philsports Arena.

RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana scored 18 points apiece while Williams had 10 points and 10 rebounds with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser adding 12 points for TNT.

Zavier Lucero scored 15 points and grabbed 10 rebounds even as Sangalang added 14 but the Hotshots were left to ponder their stinging defeat.