Tropang 5G get back at Giant Risers in 34-point rout

MANILA, Philippines — The TNT Tropang 5G are back in the win column after exacting revenge against the Titan Ultra Giant Risers by 34 points, 114-80, Saturday evening at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

The Tropang 5G finally avenged the 103-87 defeat they absorbed against the Giant Risers last month with a complete obliteration of Titan. 

The former also returned to their winning ways after a defeat against the NLEX Road Warriors in their previous game. 

Jordan Heading provided the spark off the bench with 23 points, five assists and two rebounds for TNT. Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson added 19 markers apiece in the win, which gave the squad its fourth victory in seven contests.

Starting off hot, TNT kept on pressing and completely broke the game wide open, leading by 28, 77-49, in the third quarter.

But Titan tried to storm back, slicing the deficit in half, 72-86, after a Bryan Sajonia deuce with 8:09 still on the clock.

However, a 28-8 finishing kick gave the Tropang 5G their biggest lead of the night — 34 points — at the end of the game.

Rey Nambatac and Kim Aurin added 14 and 12 points, respectively, for TNT.

Tirrell Brown II was kept to a quiet 14 points on 6-of-13 shooting, along with 11 rebounds, four assists and three blocks, for the Giant Risers. Sajonia and Jerrick Balanza chipped 13 points each. 

Titan slipped to a 2-6 win-loss slate, dropping to last place in Group A play.