TNT’s rout of Phoenix exhibits bounce-back character

TNT Tropang Giga Rondae Hollis Jefferson in a recreation towards Phoenix Gas Masters within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. –PBA IMAGES

Coach Chot Reyes is hoping that the uncharacteristic loss to Terrafirma would function a cautionary story for TNT now that it has assured itself of a slot within the quarterfinals of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

“Hopefully, we’re in a position to take that lesson to coronary heart,” Reyes mentioned because the Tropang Giga bounced again on Friday by clobbering the eradicated Phoenix Gas Masters, 106-70, at Ynares Middle right here in Antipolo Metropolis.

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Probably the most lopsided recreation of the eliminations assured TNT of being the sixth workforce to qualify for the subsequent section of the midseason match, with two video games left towards San Miguel Beer and Rain or Shine representing possibilities to enhance on its rating.

The Tropang Giga improved to 7-3 for a three-way tie for third with the Meralco Bolts and visitor workforce Hong Kong Jap.

TNT battles San Miguel on Sunday in a matchup that would decide if a prime two slot and the twice-to-beat benefit within the quarters remains to be a chance. San Miguel was going through Converge at press time, desperately needing a victory to realize floor on Magnolia and NLEX for No. 8.

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San Miguel was sporting a 4-6 document towards a Converge facet aiming to finish the eliminations with a 9-3 slate and a momentary maintain of the highest spot within the standings.

However the Tropang Giga will look to ensure that they’ll get again the shape that allowed them to bounce again from a 0-2 begin by profitable six in a row, earlier than being crushed in sudden trend by the Dyip.

The brutal lesson towards Terrafirma, which noticed TNT path by as many as 31 after permitting a barrage of threes within the second half, got here after a terrific efficiency that noticed the Tropang Giga proceed their mastery of Barangay Ginebra final Jan. 17 with a 91-86 win.

Nearly as good as TNT performed within the first assembly towards Ginebra for the reason that Governors’ Cup Finals, it was a exact opposite towards a Terrafirma facet that averted a winless convention with a 117-108 triumph.

Ignored reminders

“I suppose irrespective of how a lot we reminded our gamers, irrespective of how we talked to them, I suppose it was onerous [for them] to consider what we had been making an attempt to warn them about,” Reyes mentioned. “Terrafirma performed a superb recreation and whereas we had no drawback, offensively, we simply couldn’t cease their offensive incursions.”

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson posted 15 factors, 10 rebounds, 5 assists, two steals and two blocks in 28 minutes towards the Gas Masters, whereas RR Pogoy had 12 factors, six rebounds and three assists.

TNT additionally pummeled Phoenix by hitting 15 threes, together with two every from Calvin Oftana and Kim Aurin. Each completed with 11 factors apiece. INQ