Injury-plagued TNT moves a win away from PBA PH Cup Finals

Sports

THE TNT Tropang 5G are just five wins away from completing a rare feat.

The Tropa brightened their chances of achieving a Grand Slam as they trounced the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 108-92, in Game 4 of their 49th PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinal series on Wednesday night, July 2, at the MOA Arena.

The win gave TNT a 3-1 lead, earning three chances to advance to the championship round that will bring them closer to completing a Grand Slam–a feat that is achieved when a team sweeps the three-conference season.

TNT will take its first of three cracks at Finals berth when the two teams clash for Game 5 on Friday, July 4.

The Tropa won–decisively at that–despite the injuries suffered by some of their key players. Kelly Williams limped with a sprained ankle, joining injured teammates Roger Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and Jayson Castro on the sidelines. Calvin Oftana also hurt his ankle early in the fourth quarter.

Still, the Tropa dominated the Elasto Painters with Jordan Heading turning in his best game as a Tropa by firing a team-high 23 points.

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had ample contributions for TNT as he tallied 22 points and 11 rebounds.

Oftana tossed in 16 points and Glenn Khobuntin also had 16 markers in a balanced TNT attack.

Gabe Norwood surprisingly led in scoring by Gabe Norwood, who tallied points on top of nine rebounds.

THE SCORES:

TNT (108)- Heading 23, Ganuelas-Rosser 22, Oftana 16, Khobuntin 16, Galinato 8, Erram 8, Aurin 7, Vosotros 6, Heruela 2, Nieto 0, Enciso 0, Williams 0.

RAIN OR SHINE (92) - Norwood 18, Caracut 16, Tiongson 15, Nocum 12, Santillan 9, Datu 7, Mamuyac 7, Clarito 4, Malonzo 2, Asistio 2.QUARTERSCORES: 22-28, 41-47, 80-69, 108-92.(CCM)