
Oftana fires 32 as TNT withstands Ginebra comeback

UNSTOPPABLE.
With Calvin Oftana leading the way, TNT Tropang Giga weathered a furious comeback by Barangay Ginebra to eke out a heartstopping 91-86 win in theur grudge match in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.
Oftana was the man of the hour for the Tropang Giga as he finished with 32 points on 11-of-19 shooting, including six three-pointers, and seven rebounds
Best Import winner Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 25 points, highlighted by a perfect 13-of-13 free throw shooting, 13 rebounds, six assists, and two steals for the Chot Reyes-mentored Tropang Giga, who climbed into a 6-2 win-loss record.
JP Erram and Jayson Castro contributed 10 and nine points, respectively.
Justin Brownlee led the losing effort for the Tim Cone-mentored Gin Kings , who dropped to 6-4.
Brownlee had 20 points ona dismal 5-of-21 shooting, along with 16 rebounds and five assists.
Stephen Holt added 18 points, and Troy Rosario contributed 16 points.
Despite Brownlee’s shooting woes, the Gin Kings mounted a late rally.
“In a lot way of ways, Ginebra just had many weapons so we just had to do pick our potion. We had a 10-point lead and it nearly wasn’t enough. We knew they would come back,” said Reyes.
“It’s definitely our best defensive game. Ginebra is the best defensive team in the league and No. 1 in field goals. They’re a double-edged sword. We just had to pick one. Luckily, we won in those tradeoffs,” added Reyes.
Trailing 80-89 with under two minutes left, Brownlee sparked hope with a four-point play and a layup to trim the deficit to only three points with 22.3 seconds remaining.
TNT, however, kept their composure against Ginebra’s pressure defense.
Oftana capped his brilliant night with two clutch free throws, sealing the Tropang Giga’s hard-fought victory with 6.4 seconds left on the clock.
The scores:
TNT (91) — Oftana 32, Hollis-Jefferson 25, Erram 10, Castro 9, Pogoy 6, Razon 3, Aurin 3, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, K. Williams 0, Heruela 0.
Ginebra (86) — Brownlee 20, Holt 18, Rosario 16, Thompson 9, Abarrientos 8, J.Aguilar 7, Malonzo 6, Ahanmisi 2.
Quarterscores: 22-25, 45-46, 68-64, 91-86.