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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Oftana, Pogoy to the rescue as TNT nips Meralco

Oftana, Pogoy to the rescue as TNT nips Meralco

Published Apr 7, 2024 01:48 pm

At A Glance

  • Calvin Oftana delivered the big hits and RR Pogoy the much-needed defensive stops as TNT escaped with a 92-90 victory over Meralco to snap a two-game slide in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.

Calvin Oftana delivered the big hits and RR Pogoy the much-needed defensive stops as TNT escaped with a 92-90 victory over Meralco to snap a two-game slide in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Sunday, April 7.

PBA Images5 (56).jpg
Calvin Oftana drills big hits for the TNT Tropang Giga. (PBA Images)

Cooling down after dropping 19 points in the first two quarters, Oftana was clutch in the waning minutes, scoring seven of the Tropang Giga’s last eight points before Pogoy came through with an equally crucial block on Aaron Black to preserve the win.

With the game hanging in the balance, Oftana scored two points from the foul line and a booming triple to shove TNT back in the lead for good, 89-87. 

A Jayson Castro split from the foul line and two more free throws from Oftana built a five-point cushion for the Tropang Giga but Bong Quinto refused to wave the white flag for Meralco and retaliated with an and-1 play,

The Bolts completed a huge stop on the other end, allowing Black to go on a run only to be smothered by Pogoy’s defense who blocked the shot and left Meralco with 7.6 seconds left in the contest.

Meralco had one last shot in the end but Jolo Mendoza missed a last second three-point heave which could have won it for the Bolts.

Oftana led the way for TNT with 26 points, nine rebounds and three blocks while Castro provided support with 15 points and six rebounds.

Pogoy was one of the three Tropang Giga with 11 points along with big man Henry Galinato and Kelly Williams. The veteran Williams even had a double-double after also collaring 13 rebounds.

Like in the past two games, the Bolts were caught in a cold-shooting contest, ending the game on a measly 5-of-24 clip from three-point territory. Summarizing Meralco’s struggles was the performance of Allein Maliksi who only had 11 points before fouling out of the contest.

Aaron Black and Cliff Hodge paced Meralco with 16 points apiece with the ladder also adding eight rebounds.

TNT improved to a 3-3 record in the standings while Meralco slid to a 3-4 slate.

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