TNT didn’t have some of its usual suspects in its PBA Governors’ Cup debut, but the Tropang 5G still managed to do just enough to beat Macau, 106-103, at Araneta Coliseum on Sunday.
TNT had to make do without Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser.
Still, coach Chot Reyes’ wards held down the fort to keep the Giant Pandas winless in four games in Group A.
Rey Nambatac came off the bench to lead TNT to victory with 23 points and six assists with a steal and a block to boot.
‘It’s such a big factor that we’re incomplete, so people needed to step up, including myself,’ Nambatac said.
‘For the rest of the conference, we need to be consistent. We all need to step up until our teammates are healthy.’
The Tropang 5G, who played their first game since losing to Barangay Ginebra in Game 7 of the Commissioner’s Cup Finals last month, looked primed to run away with the win, up 104-89 with 3:19 to go.
However, the Giant Pandas had one last fight in them and went on a 12-0 surge to pull within three, 104-101, with 25 ticks to go.
With TNT still ahead by three, 106-103, Xucheng Lu had a chance to win it for Macau but he couldn’t convert on a 4-pointer as time ran out.
Darius Days, who’s just filling in until Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is finally cleared to play, finished with 23 points and six rebounds. Roger Pogoy posted 21 points.
De’Vondre Perry powered the Giant Pandas with 36 points and 10 rebounds, while Chong Qui added 24. Ramon Cao also recorded a double-double with 14 points and 12 rebounds.