TNT edges Rain or Shine to shut in on Finals berth

TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana through the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Sport 2. –PBA IMAGES

Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy took the scoring cudgels whereas Kim Aurin knocked down a vital three as TNT defeated Rain or Shine, 93-85, Wednesday for a 3-1 lead within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Good Araneta Coliseum.

Oftana scored 26 whereas Pogoy dropped 22 whilst Aurin took benefit of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s move by draining the nook shot which enabled the Tropang Giga to climate one other robust problem from the Elasto Painters and transfer one win shy of advancing to the Finals.

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Hollis-Jefferson had 17 factors, 11 rebounds, 5 assists and two blocks for TNT, which may shut it out Friday on the similar venue.

TNT prevailed following a tricky few days that noticed not solely Jayson Castro being dominated out for the season with a knee harm but additionally reeling from the incident surrounding the alternate between Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin.

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TNT Tropang Giga’s Kim Aurin. –PBA IMAGES

The Tropang Giga overcame a 44-point output from import Deon Thompson, who tried to maintain the Elasto Painters inside putting distance throughout one other grindout fourth quarter.

However Thompson obtained little assist from the locals, with Adrian Nocum being held to simply 4 factors on 1-of-7 taking pictures with 4 turnovers.

READ: PBA: Love of the sport fuels sleepless Calvin Oftana in Sport 1

Rain or Shine’s closest was at three within the fourth, 75-72, however baskets by Oftana and Pogoy plus a pair of turnovers from Gian Mamuyac allowed TNT to create some separation.

Jhonard Clarito’s three lower TNT’s result in 86-81, however Aurin countered that with a 3 of his personal off Hollis-Jefferson’s move, time right down to 1:19, that every one however sealed the deal for the Tropang Giga.