TNT leaned on the hot shooting of RR Pogoy plus timely fours from Rey Nambatac to hold off Converge, 110-103, in a PBA Philippine Cup out-of-town game on Saturday at Chavit Coliseum in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.
Pogoy fired 27 points spiked by six triples while Nambatac’s two four-pointers in the fourth quarter were his only field goal conversions as the Tropang 5G foiled the FiberXers’ comeback to secure their second victory in three games.
The win was a good bounce-back performance from TNT, which suffered a 92-77 loss to Barangay Ginebra last Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Calvin Oftana had 18 points, six rebounds and five assists, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams scored 14 points apiece and Nambatac added 10 points and six assists for the Tropang 5G.
Justin Arana had 19 points and five rebounds, but Converge couldn’t complete its rally from 14 down and fell to 1-1. Justine Baltazar produced 17 points and 12 rebounds, Alec Stockton hit 19 and Schonny Winston 17.
Rookie Juan Gomez de Liano dropped 14 points but on a 4-of-11 shooting for Converge in the defeat. Converge drew level at 90-all after keeping itself within reach amid several Pogoy triples.
But Nambatac’s first four allowed TNT to regain control and set up the pullaway.
Nambatac would convert anew from the longest arc, which put the Tropang 5G ahead 101-92, time down to 4:04 in the contest.
Converge will try to redeem itself on Wednesday against Terrafirma at Ninoy Aquino Stadium while TNT next face newcomer Titan Ultra two nights later at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.