TNT Tropang Giga Rondae Hollis Jefferson in a game against Phoenix Fuel Masters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES
TNT thrashed Phoenix on Friday night, the powerhouse club venting its ire on the Fuel Masters , 106-70, in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The Tropang Giga—as pointed out by head coach Chot Reyes—returned to their defensive roots to bounce back from an embarrassing loss to Terrafirma a couple of nights ago also at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, and improve to 7-3 in the import conference where they are heavy favorites.
Comments from top Federal Reserve officials suggesting they would like to see a slower pace of rate cuts tempered hopes for another bumper cut at the bank’s next meeting, while Middle East worries pushed gold to a new record.
Article continues after this advertisementRoger Pogoy had 12 points, six rebounds, three assists and a steal to lead the telco squad in dooming also-ran Phoenix and moved within sniffing range of a twice-to-beat protection in the quarterfinals.
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“We talked about it the last game—it’s really hard to play teams with nothing to lose. You saw how Terrafirma played in the last game, playing freely and hitting all the shots. I take full responsibility for not preparing the players enough for a situation like that,” Reyes said.
Article continues after this advertisement“The disappointing part was our defense was nonexistent in that last game, and that was all we talked about: We went back to who we are, the way we play defense … I think it was very important for us to take the lessons from that game into this ball game,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementImport Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 15 points, 10 rebounds and five assists, while Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana both finished with 11 points each in the effort that sent TNT at No. 3 alongside visiting Hong Kong and corporate sibling Meralco.
Article continues after this advertisementTyler Tio had 14 points, import Donovan Smith and Kai Ballungay scired 11 each for the Fuel Masters, who finished the tournament with just three wins against nine losses.
Champions of the first conference of this season, the Tropang Giga can finish elimination round with nine wins at best with games against San Miguel and Rain or Shine still left on their schedule.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Scores:
platinumplayTNT 106 – Hollis-Jefferson 15, Pogoy 12, Oftana 11, Aurin 11, Nambatac 8, Williams 8, Galinato 8, Castro 6, heruela 6, Razon 6, Ebona 4, Khobuntin 4, Exciminiano 3, Payawal 2, Erram 2, Varilla 0.
PHOENIX 70 – Tio 14, Smith 11, Ballungay 11, Manganti 7, Tuffin 6, Jazul 5, Perkins 5, Muyang 2, Garcia 2, Alejandro 1, Rivero 0, Salado 0, Verano 0, Daves 0, Camacho 0
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Quarterscores: 24-21mw cash, 49-35, 78-50, 106-70.
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