TNT nears QF bonus with rout of Ginebra

Mikey Williams heated up again for the Tropang Giga. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Ginebra's loss to San Miguel on Friday night gave TNT the first outright quarterfinal seat in the PBA Philippine Cup.

But as it turned out after their match on Sunday night, the Tropang Giga wanted to take down the Gin Kings by themselves.

TNT blasted Ginebra almost all game long en route to an 88-67 blowout on Sunday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The Tropang Giga slowly clobbered the Gin Kings in the first half even as they entered halftime ahead, 45-32.

Ginebra slightly got the better of TNT in the third quarter, but the latter surged anew in the fourth to seal the rout.

Mikey Williams once again took over for the now 8-1 Tropang Giga with 27 points on 10-of-18 shooting, four rebounds, two assists, and one steal as they inched closer to a Top 2 finish in the eliminations which would merit a once-to-advance advantage in the quarterfinals.

Troy Rosario and Jayson Castro added 14 points each.

Japeth Aguilar put up 18 markers, six boards, and five blocks for the Gin Kings, who fell to 3-5, a half-game behind the Phoenix Fuel Masters in the race for the eighth and last quarterfinal spot.

Follow him on Twitter: @IvanSaldajeno