TNT Tropang Giga ended Terrafirma Dyip’s two-game winning streak with a hard-earned 100-97 victory in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Veteran Jayson Castro led Tropang Giga’s scoring attack, finishing with 23 points on 7-of-12 shooting from the field in 27 minutes of action for Coach Chot Reyes.

Gilas mainstays Calvin Oftana and Glenn Khobuntin contributed 19 points each for the Tropang Giga, who forced a four-way tie with NorthPort, NLEX and Terrafirma with similar 2-1 win-loss slates.

Oftana also secured 10 rebounds, while Khobuntin grabbed seven caroms in the victory.

There were other notable performances for TNT.

Rookie Henry Galinato Jr. added a double-double with 17 points and 11 rebounds while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 11 points and six rebounds.

“What we’re seeing in the league noe, not only Terrafirma… they’ve reslly stacked up

They’ve made some very good pickd in the draft and we’re seeing it now,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“They’re all showing up now and that’s msk8ng them a lot more competitive,” added Reyes, who missed the services of veterans Kelly Williams and Riger Pogoy.

Stephen Holt led Terrafirma’s losing cause with 24 points on 6-of-14 shooting, along with eight rebounds and seven assists in 39 minutes of action.

Juami Tiongson contributed 21 points despite a 0-of-6 shooting start while Javier Gomez De Liano added 18 points and six rebounds for Terrafirma of coach Johnedel Cardel.

Isaac Go had 11 markers

Meanwhile, defending champion EcoOil-La Salle and Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda headline the six-team field cast in the 2024 PBA D League Asapirants’ Cup which fires off on March 14 at the Filoil EcoOil Centre.

Also entered in the tournament are Centro Escolar U, Gotorakku-St. Clare, Keanzel, and CCI-Yengskivel.

This early observers have installed the Green Archers and the Red Lions as heavy favorites.

Nevertheless, they are quick to cautioned that surprises should not be discounted.

EcoOil-La Salle is seeking a triple crown.

The Green Archers started its successful title campaign two years ago following the league’s return after a long absence due to the pandemic.

They claimed their first championship at the expense of Marinerong Pilipino.

The scores:

TNT (100) — Castro 23, Khobuntin 19, Oftana 19, Galinato 17, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 11, Aurin 4, Montalbo 4, Heruela 3, Ebona 0, Varilla 0, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 0, Ponferrada 0.
Terrafirma (97) –Holt 24, Tiongson 21, Gomez de Liano 18, Go 11, ALolino 9, Ramos 5, Sangalang 5, Carino 2, Camson 2, Olivario 0, Cahilig 0, Calvo 0.
Quarterscores: 23-21, 50-41, 73-69, 100-97.

Games Sunday:

(Smart Araneta Coliseum)
3 p.m.– Meralco vs. NorthPort
6:15 p.m. — Phoenix vs. Ginebra