PBA: TNT annihilates Phoenix to complete QF cast

TNT unleashed a huge second half turnaround to stun Phoenix Super LPG, 116-96, and book an outright quarterfinal ticket in the PBA Commissioner's Cup on Sunday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Tropang Giga avoided having to go through a playoff for no. 8 against sister team NLEX (4-7) as it locked the last playoff seat with a 5-6 win-loss slate and will take on top seed Magnolia in the next round on Wednesday at 8 p.m. 

Phoenix, meanwhile, is already assured of a twice-to-beat bonus and will face Meralco in the quarterfinals round on the same day at 4 p.m.

The Tropang Giga were back in their old and deadly form thanks to the eruption of Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, Kim Aurin, and Brian Heruela as well as the timely return of RR Pogoy, who missed out on action for the past five months due to myocarditis. 

It was their collective effort, especially in the second half, that led to the lopsided win with Oftana and Heruala firing two triples each in the penultimate frame to give the Jojo Lastimosa-helmed squad an 88-78 lead. 

Heruela then ignited for another pair of three-pointers in a span of just 12 seconds before Hollis-Jefferson completed an alley-oop dunk off a dish from rooke Aurin to make it a comfortable 100-83 cushion with still nine minutes to go in the fourth. 

Even with a lot of time on the clock, the Fuel Masters failed to capitalize as TNT didn't let it slip this time around as Hollis-Jefferson scored six of their final 11 points to seal the win. 

Hollis-Jefferson once again starred with 35 points, 21 of which he dropped in the first half, to go along with 11 assists, nine rebounds, three steals, and a block as TNT eliminated NLEX in the process. 

Oftana shone with 19 while Aurin and Heruela chipped in 18 and 14 markers apiece. Pogoy played limited minutes but was able to put together 11 markers off the bench. 

Aside from Wednesday's games, twice-to-beat teams San Miguel Beermen and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel will take on the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and NorthPort Batang Pier, respectively, on Friday.

Scores:

TNT 116 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Oftana 19, Aurin 18, Heruela 14, Pogoy 11, Galinato 6, K. Williams 4, castro 3, Tungcab 3, Montalbo 3, Cruz 0, Tolomia 0, Khobuntin 0, Ponferrada 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Phoenix 96 – J.Williams 21, Alejandro 12, Tio 10, Manganti 10, Perkins 9, Rivero 7, Soyud 6, Jazul 5, Daves 4, Mocon 4, Tuffin 4, Verano 3, Muyang 1, Camacho 0, Lalata 0, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 23-27, 51-53, 88-78, 116-96.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News