TNT forces deadlock

MANILA, Philippines — Even with a horrible start in Game 1, TNT still managed to give itself a fighting chance at the opening victory, foiled only by Justin Brownlee’s game-winner for Barangay Ginebra.

For the second match, Calvin Oftana and the Tropang 5G made sure they got off on the right foot.

And with their hot opening as foundation and composure in the stretch as a big factor, the defending champions got the job done, 101-94, to drag the Gin Kings to a 1-1 deadlock in the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Wiser after their 100-102 setback in Wednesday’s opener that saw them trail by as many as 18, TNT asserted itself on both ends straightaway and raced to a 27-12 tear after 12 minutes.

The troops of coach Chot Reyes widened the gap to a high of 21 then stood firm in the face of the Gin Kings’ fourth-quarter surge to secure the equalizer in front of an 11,510-strong crowd.

Oftana was the spearhead of TNT’s relentless assault, punching in his season-high 31 points spiked by five triples, to go with 10 rebounds in a bounceback to his 12-point performance in the previous loss.

Oftana’s last two points from the free throw line helped the squad extinguish Ginebra’s fiery attempt at a steal, 100-94, with 18.7 seconds left.

“Wala namang special motivation (after the contested non-call in the final play of TNT’s Game 1 loss). Move on na kami doon. Motivated kaming lahat this game para ma-tie ang series,” said Oftana.

Import Chris McCullough posted a 19-16 double-double while Jordan Heading rifled in 14, with both playing key roles as well in the stretch.

Heading hit a big corner trey that stretched TNT’s lead to 98-88.