(PBA image)
Calvin Oftana delivered his finest scoring night of the conference as TNT overwhelmed Blackwater, 113–96, on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, keeping the Tropang 5G firmly on track for a coveted Top 4 finish in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Oftana poured in 25 points, built on a blistering 6-of-10 shooting clip from three-point range, as TNT imposed its will early and never let go. The long-range barrage set the tone for a dominant outing in which the Tropang 5G dictated the pace from the opening quarter, stretching the lead to as many as 26 points before comfortably closing out their second straight victory.
The win lifted TNT to a 7–3 record, good for third place heading into the final day of eliminations. A victory over Magnolia on Sunday would lock the Tropa into the No. 3 spot and secure the valuable win-once incentive in the quarterfinals.
Returning from a calf injury that sidelined him for two games, Roger Pogoy wasted no time making his presence felt. He drilled four triples and finished with 18 points, while Henry Galinato provided a spark off the bench with 14 points, four rebounds, and three assists. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser added 12 points and eight rebounds, and Jordan Heading chipped in 11 points, all coming from beyond the arc.
TNT’s perimeter dominance told the story. The Tropang 5G knocked down 18 three-pointers, triple Blackwater’s output from long range, turning the contest into a one-sided affair well before the final buzzer.
Head coach Chot Reyes said the team approached the game with urgency, fully aware of what was at stake in the standings. After seeing the earlier results, Reyes stressed that winning their last two elimination games was non-negotiable, starting with Blackwater. More than the offense, he emphasized the importance of sharpening their defense in preparation for a tough final test against a deep and disciplined Magnolia squad.
Oftana echoed that sentiment, pointing to defense as the foundation TNT is working to reestablish. He admitted the team has lagged defensively this conference but said they are committed to rebuilding that identity and carrying it into the crucial games ahead.
For Blackwater, the loss officially ended their Philippine Cup campaign. Troy Mallillin posted a career-high 20 points to lead the Bossing, but it was not enough to stop their slide to a 10th straight defeat and a 1–10 record overall. Sedrick Barefield and Christian David scored 13 points apiece, though the pair struggled from the field, combining for just 11 makes on 29 attempts.
TNT now turns its full attention to Sunday, with a Top 4 berth and a crucial playoff advantage within reach, while Blackwater looks ahead to regrouping after a difficult conference marked by flashes of promise but harsh results on the scoreboard.
