TNT edges Rain or Shine to close in on Finals berth

TNT Tropang Giga’s Calvin Oftana during the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Game 2. –PBA IMAGES

Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy took the scoring cudgels while Kim Aurin knocked down a crucial three as TNT defeated Rain or Shine, 93-85, Wednesday for a 3-1 lead in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Oftana scored 26 while Pogoy dropped 22 even as Aurin took advantage of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s pass by draining the corner shot which enabled the Tropang Giga to weather another tough challenge from the Elasto Painters and move one win shy of advancing to the Finals.

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Hollis-Jefferson had 17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists and two blocks for TNT, which can close it out Friday at the same venue.

TNT prevailed following a tough few days that saw not only Jayson Castro being ruled out for the season with a knee injury but also reeling from the incident surrounding the exchange between Poy Erram and Glenn Khobuntin.

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TNT Tropang Giga’s Kim Aurin. –PBA IMAGES

The Tropang Giga overcame a 44-point output from import Deon Thompson, who tried to keep the Elasto Painters within striking distance during another grindout fourth quarter.

But Thompson got little support from the locals, with Adrian Nocum being held to just four points on 1-of-7 shooting with four turnovers.

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Rain or Shine’s closest was at three in the fourth, 75-72, but baskets by Oftana and Pogoy plus a pair of turnovers from Gian Mamuyac allowed TNT to create some separation.

Jhonard Clarito’s three cut TNT’s lead to 86-81, but Aurin countered that with a three of his own off Hollis-Jefferson’s pass, time down to 1:19, that all but sealed the deal for the Tropang Giga.