By REYNALD MAGALLON
Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy took their turns as TNT moved on cusp of a Finals return after repelling Rain or Shine, 93-85, in Game 4 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday, March 5.
Without the team’s heart and soul in Jayson Castro, both Oftana and Pogoy took the cudgels and carried the Tropang Giga home, combining for 48 of the team’s total output to help them take a commanding 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
Oftana finished 26 points – including a crucial layup that gave TNT a 91-81 cushion with 46 seconds left in the game.
Pogoy, on the other hand, had 22 – 14 of which came in the second quarter, where the Tropang Giga erected a 53-43 lead – an advantage that while it came under threat from several ROS run, TNT still managed to protect.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson also had a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds while Rey Nambatac added 12.
The crucial performance from both Pogoy and Oftana helped TNT overcome Deon Thompson’s best scoring game in the PBA with 44 points to go with 13 rebounds.
Meanwhile, the Batang Pier have finally sailed past the turbulent waters in the semis.
NorthPort seemed to have found a way to solve the Ginebra puzzle, staving off elimination with a 108-103 victory in Game 4.
Already given up for the dead after suffering three lopsided losses in as many games in the series, the crew of head coach Bonnie Tan rose from the ashes and put up a gallant fight to keep their campaign alive and cut their deficit to 3-1.
Kadeem Jack, the lone player consistent for NorthPort in the first three games, was in his usual dominant form with 35 points – none bigger than his clutch jump shot over the outstretched arms of Troy Rosario – that kept the Batang Pier’s heads above the water, 106-103, with 19 seconds left.
He also hauled 15 rebounds and dished out five assists, this time getting ample support from the rest of the team.
Arvin Tolentino had his best game in the series by flirting with a triple-double of 20 points, 11 assists and nine rebounds, while William Navarro added 16 points.
Joshua Munzon contributed 14 points while surprise starter Paolo Taha proved to be the spark plug the team needed with 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
