TNT wrests solo lead from Meralco in PBA Governors’ Cup

Garance Limouzy September 13, 2024

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TNT wrests solo lead from Meralco in PBA Governors’ Cup

The TNT Tropang Giga secured a 108-99 victory against the Meralco Bolts on September 12, 2024, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, in Manila, Philippines. This win solidified their solo lead in Group A of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup, extending their winning streak to four games and giving them a 6-1 record.

For TNT, key defensive efforts from Kelly Williams and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson down the stretch proved decisive, while Meralco saw their own four-game winning streak come to a halt, falling to 5-2. Meralco’s only two losses in the tournament have come at the hands of TNT, making the rivalry between the two even more intense.

Pre-game odds were slightly in favour of TNT at 1.40, while Meralco entered as the underdogs with 2.75. However, by halftime, the odds tightened. At that point, TNT’s odds had moved to 1.50, and Meralco’s had shifted to 2.35.

TNT’s coach, Chot Reyes, was well aware of Meralco’s ability to rally. “We knew they would come back strong, and we never expected it to be easy,” Reyes said. His team remained focused, especially during crucial moments when Meralco attempted to close the gap.

Oftana shines

Calvin Oftana led the Tropang Giga with 25 points, earning Player of the Game honors. He delivered an efficient performance, hitting 12 of his 25 shots and grabbing seven rebounds. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 22 points and nine rebounds, coming just shy of a double-double.

Meralco’s final charge

TNT enjoyed as much as a 14-point lead but had to hold off a fierce Meralco charge in the final quarter. Meralco, led by Allen Durham’s 26 points and Chris Newsome’s 23, trimmed the deficit to just three points, 100-97, late in the game. At that point, the momentum seemed to shift in Meralco’s favour, and their odds of pulling off an upset shortened dramatically.

But TNT’s defensive discipline came through in the clutch. After a key rejection by Meralco’s Durham on Roger Pogoy’s layup attempt, the Bolts had a chance to cut the lead further. However, Chris Banchero, who struggled all night with his shooting, missed a three-point attempt. Kelly Williams then capitalised with a layup that pushed the lead back to five at 102-97.

Jayson Castro, TNT’s seasoned playmaker, sealed the win with a crucial steal from Durham, which led to a transition layup. This key play effectively closed the door on Meralco’s comeback bid, stretching the lead to seven points with less than two minutes left.

By the time the final whistle blew, TNT’s performance had matched their pre-game odds, asserting themselves as the superior team despite Meralco’s fierce resistance. The final odds adjustment during the game reflected how closely contested it was. With a final score of 108-99, TNT hit their stride in the closing minutes. Meanwhile, Meralco’s valiant effort saw their underdog odds shorten as they showed resilience, but ultimately fell short.