TNT closes out Magnolia to win PBA Philippine Cup title again after 8 years

After eight years, the title has found its way back to the TNT Tropang Giga.

TNT closed out the Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots, 94-79, in Game 5 with a victory for a fitting ending to its glorious 2021 PBA Philippine Cup run on Friday at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The win gave the franchise its sixth overall Philippine Cup title and first in eight years while it also helped them quench a six-year title drought since winning the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

Rookie Mikey Williams was once again stellar, finishing with 24 points, four rebounds, and four assists while RR Pogoy carved out 19 markers, three boards, and two dimes.

The Tropang Giga started slightly slow, trailing Magnolia until midway through the first but an 11-2 run to close the opening period put them up by seven, 21-14.

They continued that momentum in the second frame after they fired four triples, two of which came from rookie Mikey Williams who was scoreless in the first, to outscore the Hotshots, 26-19, for a 47-33 halftime lead.

During that frame, TNT leaned on to its sticky defense and limited Magnolia to shoot only 8-of-26 from the field.

Magnolia showed some signs of life in the third with Ian Sangalang converting a basket that cut their deficit to 15, 45-60.

TNT, though, got enough boost from its supporting cast in Glenn Khobuntin and Ryan Reyes as they kept hold of their advantage at the end of the third period, 72-53, to move 12 minutes away from the title.

That lead stayed for TNT for good.

With TNT winning this year’s All-Filipino conference, the reign of corporate rival San Miguel Corporation has also ceased after three of its clubs---Ginebra, San Miguel, and Magnolia---dominated the past seven editions.

Surprisingly, it was also these three clubs whom TNT managed to hurdle in the playoffs en route to the title.

The scores:

TNT 94 - M. Williams, 24, Pogoy 19, Castro 10, Reyes 9, Rosario 9, K. Khobuntin 8, Montalbo 7, Erram 7, Williams 1, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0.

Magnolia 79 - Sangalang 18, Abueva 14, Ahanmisi 11, Barroca 10, Lee 7, Dela Rosa  5, Dionisio 5, Pascual 4, Reavis 4, Jalalon 1, Brill 0, Corpuz 0, Melton 0.

Quarterscores: 21-14, 47-33, 72-53, 94-79.

—JMB, GMA News