PBA: Oftana, Pogoy link up as TNT pulls away late in Game 1 win vs. Rain or Shine

Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy schemed TNT's late-game surge to repel Rain or Shine, 116-99, in Game 1 of their best-of-three quarterfinals series in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Oftana erupted for a 32-point onslaught alongside nine rebounds, two assists, two steals, and one block while Pogoy posted 26 markers, five dimes, and two boards as the Tropang Giga moved a win away from a semifinals berth. 

TNT turned an 85-79 lead at the conclusion of the third period to a 21-point separation in the fourth, thanks to back-to-back triples from veterans Kelly Williams and Oftana that sent them to a 108-87 lead. 

The Elasto Painters countered with a 7-0 flush capped by a Santi Santillan triple, but TNT held on as Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser sealed it with two charities. In that period, TNT outscored Rain or Shine, 31 to 20. 

Williams ended up with 19 points after burying five triples to go with his 10 rebounds while Jayson Castro chipped in 11 markers, five assists, and four boards off the bench. 

Santillan paced Rain or Shine with 23 points while Mark Borboran chimed in with 13. 

Scores:

TNT 116 – Oftana 32, Pogoy 26, K.Williams 19, Castro 11, Khobuntin 8, B.Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Aurin 4, Montalbo 3, Ponferrada 3, Heruela 2, Varilla 0, Galinato 0.

Rain or Shine 99 – Santillan 23, Borboran 13, Datu 11, Caracut 11, Clarito 10, Ildefonso 8, Nocum 7, Demusis 6, Belga 5, Mamuyac 4, Asistio 1, Norwood 0.

Quarters: 26-24, 53-52, 85-79, 116-99.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News