TNT rallies late in Q4 to beat ROS in Chot Reyes' head coaching return

Calvin Oftana capped his second half blast with five straight points to help seal TNT's win. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

ANTIPOLO—TNT stormed back in the final 3:05 of the game to finish off Rain Or Shine, 108-107, on Wednesday night to begin their PBA Philippine Cup campaign at the Ynares Center.

Down 104-99 with 3:40 left, the Tropang Giga went on a 9-0 run capped by five straight points from Calvin Oftana to put them up, 108-104, with 50 seconds left.

Andrei Caracut had a chance to keep the Elasto Painters in the game, but he could only make a split from the free-throw line to cut the lead down to three, 108-105, with 34 seconds to go.

Jayson Castro had a chance to ice the game for TNT, but he missed a potential dagger three, giving ROS a chance to force overtime.

However, Jhonard Clarito settled for a floater with two seconds left as Castro was able to milk the clock in the end.

Oftana finished with 23 points, 17 in the second half including 10 in the fourth quarter, 14 rebounds, three assists, and one steal for the Tropang Giga, who gave Chot Reyes a win in his return as head coach.

RR Pogoy added 22 points, one rebound, and one steal, while Kim Aurin chipped in 21 points, one rebound, one assist, and two steals.

Adrian Nocum and Santi Santillan each dropped 20 points with Santillan also grabbing 11 rebounds for ROS.

The Scores:

TNT 108 – Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0

RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Demusis 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0

QUARTERS: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107

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