TNT's Rey Nambatac in action. PBA Images
ANTIPOLO, Rizal — Rey Nambatac was clutch for TNT, draining the game-winning jumper as the Tropang 5G completed a 100-98 escape of Meralco in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center here.
He made up for a missed four-pointer before the end of regulation that could have expanded their cushion from the 90-87 mark, as Chris Newsome pounced on that void and put the game into an extended period with a gutsy triple, 90-apiece.
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As both squads exchanged baskets in overtime, Henry Galinato joined the show and tied the game at 98-all, just before Nambatac's ice-cold trey with 0.9 seconds left.
Cliff Hodge shot a Hail Mary turnaround jumper that almost went in, but it didn't, marking TNT's fourth win in five games to tie NLEX — which won earlier in the day — on top of the standings at 4-1.
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But before that, Tropang 5G were actually down by as many as 23 points midway through. Chot Reyes' wards slowly clawed their way back in the second half, eventually banking on a massive 17-0 run late in the third period up 'til the early minutes of the payoff period to eventually tie at 74-all, completed by Jio Jalalon's 3-of-3 trip from the foul line.
"Obviously I voiced my displeasure at halftime," said coach Chot Reyes. "And we actually talked about it, and said that Meralco is going to come out with a lot of urgency and desperation because of their record."
The Bolts are at 3-3 before this game, and will be out for the whole month of November to fulfill their commitments with the East Asia Super League (EASL).
Still, the Tropang 5G got the job done, as Best Player of the Game Nambatac finished with 22 points on three four-point shots, four rebounds, and two assists, while Calvin Oftana top-scored for Reyes and company with 24 points to go with five rebounds.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and RR Pogoy had 14 markers each, and Jalalon rounded out the five TNT players in double-digit scoring with 10.
For their part, it was nothing short of a collapse, as the Bolts could have headed to the EASL on a high note, but could not quell the TNT comeback.
Pacing the Meralco crew was Newsome, who had 24 points, five rebounds, and six assists, while Hodge chipped in a double-double of 21 markers and 10 boards.