Rain or Shine clinches fifth win over Blackwater Bossing
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TNT assumes solo lead in Group A after defeating Meralco
Oftana drained six triples as TNT continued mastery over Meralco
Calvin Oftana scored a team-high 25 points, while Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro provided veteran-smarts in TNT Tropang Giga’s 108-99 win over Meralco on Thursday night in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup held at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The trio powered the Tropang Giga from a mere 100-97 lead into a more comfortable 106-97 cushion with 50 seconds of play remaining.
Oftana’s 25 points (eight in the fourth quarter) included sinking six three-pointers, grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing off three assists.
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also helped out by producing 22 points, seven rebounds, and nine assists.
Jayson Castro contributed 12 markers, four boards and four dimes, while Kelly Williams scored nine points in his 15:45 playing time, and did his usual job in the defensive end.
Photo Courtesy: PBA Images
"I thought we got great contributions defensively from Kelly Williams off the bench, I thought he was big," said TNT head coach Chot Reyes. "We knew Allen Durham was going to go out and attack us after his so-so performance in our first game against them. So it was important we had Kelly as secondary defender tonight."
True enough, Durham, who only scored eight points in their first meeting, came out better this time by producing game-high 26 points and grabbing 11 rebounds.
Chris Newsome paced the Bolts local with 23, while Bong Quinto and CJ Cansino contributed 12 each, and Chris Banchero added 10.
Photo Courtesy: PBA Images
The scores:
TNT 108 – Oftana 25, Hollis-Jefferson 22, Aurin 16, Castro 12, Erram 11, Williams 9, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 4, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0.
MERALCO 99 – Durham 26, Newsome 23, Cansino 12, Quinto 12, Banchero 10, Caram 8, Pasaol 4, Rios 4, Bates 0, Pascual 0, Jose 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarters: 32-20; 49-44; 78-67; 108-99.
