CALVIN Oftana came through with a game-high 26 points as TNT Tropang Giga escaped with a 92-90 victory over sister team Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Oftana went 9-of-16 from the floor to lead the balanced scoring attack of the Tropang Giga of Chot Reyes.

Oftana added nine rebounds and three blocks in 35 minutes of action.

Veteran Jayson Castro added 15 points and six rebounds while Roger Pogoy, Kelly Williams and Henry Galinato Jr. contributed with 11 points each in TNT’s third win in six matches.

Williams also had 13 points.

Aaron Black and Cliff Hodge led the Bolts’ losing effort with 16 points.

Black also had eight rebounds while Hodge added five rebounds for coach Luigi Trillo.

Meralco also got 11 points and five rebounds from Allein Maliksi and 10 points from Chris Banchero.

Oftana himself took charge in TNT’s strong finish as he made a lay-up to give the Tropang Giga a five-point cushion, 92-87 with 48 seconds left.

Bong Quinto completed his and-1 to cut the deficit to two, 90-92 with 36 seconds left.

After Castro missed his lay-up, Pogoy blocked a shot by Black with seven seconds left.

The Bolts still had an opportunity to win the game but Jose Mendoza missed his three-point shot.

A former mainstay of the San Beda Red Lions, Oftana was happy with his performance.

“Gusto ko talagang makabawi dun sa naging performance ko against NorthPort. Makakatulong itong panalo sa amin,” said Oftana after the game.

“Gusto kong mag focus at bumawi din. Right now, ino-offer ko yung laro ko sa lolo ko at sa namatay na lolo ng asawa ko.”

The Tropang Giga will battle NLEX Road Warriors when they return to action on Saturday, April 13 in Candon, Ilocos Sur.

The scores:

TNT (92) — Oftana 26, Castro 15, Pogoy 11, K.Williams 11, Galinato 11, Khobuntin 8, Montalbo 5, Aurin 3, M.Ganuelas-Rosser 2, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Varilla 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.
Meralco (90) — Black 16, Hodge 16, Maliksi 11, Banchero 10, Quinto 9, Newsome 8, Almazan 8, Pascual 5, Mendoza 2, Jose 2, Torres 2, Pasaol 1, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 21-25, 49-40, 73-68, 92-90.

Games Wednesday:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)
4:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs. Terrafirma
6:15 p.m. — Magnolia vs. Northport