TNT survives late Rain or Shine rally to go 2-0 in semis

TNT survived a late Rain or Shine rally, 93-91, in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven semifinals on Friday at the Philsports Arena.

The Tropang Giga led 93-80 with 6:22 remaining in the fourth period before they went scoreless in the next few minutes. On top of that, TNT played without import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as he was called for his sixth foul at the 5:36 mark.

Baskets from import Deon Thompson commenced the Elasto Painters' late rally before a jumper from Adrian Nocum and a triple from Gian Mamuyac put Rain or Shine within four, 93-89, with 3:27 left.

TNT then encountered another challenge as Jayson Castro had an apparent knee injury with around three minutes left.

With the odds in favor of Rain or Shine, Nocum eventually made a basket with 2:33 left to put them within two, 93-91. Both teams failed to convert a basket from then but Rain or Shine was given another chance with 18 seconds left after RR Pogoy was called for a five-second violation as he tried to inbound the ball.

Mamuyac missed his jumper, Nocum also tried to connect from the three-point arc but failed, and TNT was called for a shot clock turnover with five ticks remaining.

Mamuyac started the final play for Rain or Shine and the ball ended up in Nocum's hands, but his last attempt fell short, giving TNT the 2-0 lead in the semis.

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After a tight first quarter which ended at 24-all, it was in the second quarter when TNT started to pull away as it outscored Rain or Shine, 30-20, before it led by 16, 70-54, in the third period.

"It's just our ability to go to our strength which is defense," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said about the final minutes of the game. 

"Without Rondae and Jayson, our two closers, two highest scorers in the game, with both of them out, it was incumbent upon our defense to hold the fort. They're doing a good job, they defended Roger very well, they defended Calvin very well, forcing us to miss even easy shots and layups but in the end, even if we missed, we were not giving up fastbreak points which was the strength of Rain or Shine. If we force them into a half court, then we have a better chance of defending them and that's what happened in the end."

Before being fouled out, Hollis-Jefferson had 28 points, 10 rebounds, three assists, two steals, and two blocks, while Castro had 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists before he was injured. Poy Erram had 11 points, seven boards, two blocks, an assist, and a steal, while Pogoy and Kim Aurin had 10 points apiece for TNT.

Thompson, meanwhile, had 22 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, one steal, and one block, while Nocum had 19 points. Mamuyac and Caelan Tiongson had 11 and 10 points, respectively for Rain or Shine.

Scores:

TNT 93 – Hollis-Jefferson 28, Castro 13, Erram 11, Pogoy 10, Aurin 10, Williams 8, Oftana 7, Nambatac 3, Khobuntin 3.

Rain or Shine 91 – Thompson 22, Nocum 19, Mamuyac 11, Tiongson 10, Clarito 9, Caracut 7, Datu 7, Santillan 6, Asistio 0, Belga 0.

Quarters: 24-24, 54-44, 81-75, 93-91.

—JKC, GMA integrated News