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| Calvin Oftana sizzled early on to give TNT a huge boost to its twice-to-beat drive. PBA Images |
MANILA--TNT banked on a hot start from Calvin Oftana to score a 113-96 win against Blackwater in their PBA Philippine Cup meeting on Friday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Oftana sizzled for 20 of his conference-high 25 points in the first half to spark the Tropang 5G's well-oiled offense against the slumping Bossing.
Oftana finished 9-for-17 from the field, including 6-of-10 on threes, for his points, even as he also tallied two rebounds and two assists for TNT, which boosted its bid to claim a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals after moving up to 7-3.
RR Pogoy added 18 points on 6-of-11 shooting, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, one rebound, and one assist.
The team can clinch the quarterfinal bonus if it beats Magnolia on Sunday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
Troy Mallillin led Blackwater, which ended the conference with a dismal 1-10 record, with 20 points on 9-of-18 shooting, three rebounds, and two assists.
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