TNT downs Magnolia anew, goes up 2-0 in PBA finals

The TNT Tropang Giga picked up where they left off, beating the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in Game 2, 105-93, to gain a commanding 2-0 lead in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals on Friday in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Rookie Mikey Williams was in his element, pouring in 28 points, including five triples, to go along with nine rebounds, six assists, and a steal.

Veterans Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario also carved out 16 and 12 markers, respectively, while Ryan Reyes added 10.

TNT will try to go for a 3-0 edge when two teams collide in Game 3 on Sunday, October 24, at 4:35 p.m.

TNT got off to another hot start, draining 10 triples in the first quarter alone, three of which came from Williams, as they quickly established separation between them and the Hotshots to end the frame, 40-27.

There was hardly a change in the Tropang Giga's superb showing in the second quarter, firing 26 points for a 66-50 halftime lead anchored on 13 three-pointers, which has now become a PBA Finals record for most triples made in a first half.

This was similar to what TNT did in Game 1, where they were able to build a 19-point cushion at the half, 53-34, en route to booking an 88-70 victory.

Magnolia, however, roared back in the third frame with Ian Sangalang converting 10 points as they cut their deficit to single-digits, 79-72. TNT, though, was still able to keep hold of an 86-79 upper hand entering the final period.

The Hotshots momentarily gained their rhythm back after a 7-0 run that trimmed their deficit to a manageable four points, 90-86.

Williams, however, drilled eight huge points as part of the Tropang Giga's 15-7 counter to end the game.

Sangalang led Magnolia with 25 points, eight rebounds, two assists, and two steals in almost 38 minutes of action.

The scores:

TNT 105 - M. Williams 28, Castro 16, Rosario 12, Heruela 11, Reyes 10, Pogoy 9, Erram 6, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 5, K. Williams 3, Exciminiano 0

Magnolia 93 - Sangalang 25, Lee 12, Abueva 11, Barroca 11, Dionisio 9, Dela Rosa 6, Ahanmisi 6, Jalalon 5, Reavis 4, Corpuz 4

Quarterscores: 40-27, 66-50, 86-79, 105-93

—JMB, GMA News