Defending champ TNT extends streak to three with mastery over Phoenix

Defending titleholder TNT cruised to its third win in a row after an 87-72 mastery over Phoenix Super LPG in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Centre in Antipolo City.

Mikey Williams, last edition's Finals MVP, returned to his old form after the Filipino-American guard churned out an all-around performance of 27 points, seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals as the Tropang Giga improved to 5-2.

Holding just a four-point cushion after the penultimate period, 61-58, TNT started to pull away in the fourth with RR Pogoy scoring a lay-up that gave them the biggest lead of the gam, 87-68, with 1:33 left.

TNT also held off the Fuel Masters to just 14 points in the payoff frame with Williams pouring in 11 of his overall output.

The win made TNT the hottest squad in the league after earlier dispatching Rain or Shine and sister team Meralco. Phoenix, meanwhile, dropped to 2-4 behind a two-game losing slump.

Veteran Sean Anthony led Fuel Masters with a double-double of 13 points and 14 rebounds to go along with two assists and a steal. Rookie Tyler Tio chipped in 13 markers.

—JMB, GMA News