The TNT Tropang 5G returned to the win column after disconnecting the Converge FiberXers, 110-103, in their PBA Philippine Cup clash Saturday at the Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
TNT, which rose to 2-1, thus dealt Converge its first loss in two games. The Tropang 5G also bounced back from a 92-77 drubbing by Ginebra last Wednesday.
RR Pogoy spearheaded the winning team with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists, a steal and a block, while Calvin Oftana had 18 markers, six boards and five dimes.
After trailing by as much as 14 points, 47-61, Converge was able to tie things up at 90-all after a layup by Justine Baltazar.
But a 4-pointer by Rey Nambatac, followed by a trey by Pogoy, gave TNT a 97-90 advantage with 4:38 left.
A layup by Justin Arana halted the run, but Nambatac’s 4-pointer and a triple by Kelly Williams, which sandwiched a deuce by Juan Gomez-de Liano, pushed the Tropang 5G ahead by double digits anew, 104-94.
Gomez-de Liano tried to tow the FiberXers back with a 4-point play, but timely shots by Nambatac and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser kept Converge at bay.
Ganuelas-Rosser and Williams had 14 points apiece for TNT, while Nambatac had 10, with all coming in the fourth quarter.
Arana and Alec Stockton dropped 19 points each for the FiberXers. Justine Baltazar and Schonny Winston chipped in 17 monthly apiece while Gomez-de Liano added 14 points, nine rebounds and six assists.
The FiberXers will try to regain their winning touch as they take on the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
For their part, the Tropang 5G will return to action on Friday against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.