SATURDAY SQUEAKER
Coach Chot Reyes doesn’t want to feel a false sense of security even after TNT hurdled another close encounter that ended Converge’s four-game winning streak in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
“There’s no such thing as easy games in this league anymore. Every game is gonna [be like] that,” Reyes said, referring to the Tropang Giga’s 98-96 squeaker Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
TNT stretched its winning streak to four consecutive games after starting the conference with back-to-back defeats, perhaps a sign that things are back in order for the team that won the Governors’ Cup crown in November.
The Tropang Giga were a few days removed from another escape act when they defeated the Meralco Bolts, 101-99.
Defense, the bread-and-butter that keyed the first conference title run, was again on display when needed, as the Tropang Giga prevented the FiberXers from scoring in the last five minutes while taking advantage of the stops to connect on crucial baskets.
Mamba-esque
Calvin Oftana and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson were the ones who chiefly took advantage.
Hollis-Jefferson, always known as a Kobe Bryant dead ringer, delivered the decisive basket with a Mamba-esque turnaround shot over Converge counterpart Cheick Diallo, just over a minute left, that eventually snapped the FiberXers’ four-game winning run.
Converge fell to 6-3, tied with guest team Hong Kong Eastern.
Now TNT braces itself for another set of tough meetings, first on Wednesday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium against NLEX, which despite being on a four-game slide and having a 3-5 record has the capabilities to match up against anyone.
Two days after NLEX, TNT will go to Philsports Arena in Pasig City to play Ginebra for the first time since their Finals showdown.
Reyes, however, is pleased that the Tropang Giga are having better chances at getting results, with the roster fully intact following the return of veteran Kelly Williams from an extended break.
Williams took the lead in defending against rookie Justine Baltazar.
“Not only are we tested in battle, we’re having everyone back,” Reyes said. “And that gives us a better chance of competing. But we still have to improve our game.”
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while RR Pogoy bucked an early injury when he crashed into Diallo barely a minute into the contest to score 22 points spiked by five triples.
Sunday games
Meanwhile, action shifts to Ynares Center in Antipolo City on Sunday with Barangay Ginebra (5-3) looking to bounce back from its loss to pacesetter NorthPort by facing slumping Blackwater (1-6) in the 5 p.m. opener.
San Miguel Beer (3-4) and Magnolia (3-5), two traditional contenders on an unusual slump, slug it out in the nightcap at 7:30 p.m., with the Hotshots aiming to build on their Friday night win over the lowly Terrafirma Dyip.
