MANILA, Philippines — TNT, San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and Meralco filled up the coveted Top 4 in the PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs after separate victories by the Tropang Giga and the Beermen last night at the PhilSports Arena.
The Tropang Giga booted out playoffs-chasing NorthPort, 134-110, to stay at the helm at 9-1 with a chance to even finish No. 1 with one more victory against the Gin Kings (8-2) tomorrow.
TNT’s 24-point romp also completed the Final-8 cast with Phoenix (4-7) nosing out NorthPort (3-8) for the eighth and last seat.
Also through are Magnolia (7-4), NLEX (7-4) and Converge (6-5), which like the Fuel Masters, carry a twice-to-win disadvantage against the four highest seeds in the coming post-season.
The June Mar Fajardo-less Beermen, riding on Cameron Clark’s career-high 45 points and 17 rebounds, clobbered NLEX in the other game, 120-106.
Jorge Gallent’s troops jacked up their record to 8-2 for joint second with the Gin Kings while denying the Road Warriors (7-4) of a place in the top tier and a coveted win-once advantage.
NLEX’ loss was Meralco’s gain as it was the Bolts (7-4) who took the No. 4 position due to superior +18 quotient in the tiebreaker against Magnolia (+14) and the Road Warriors (-32) after their logjam at fourth.
Back in action since beating SMB, 105-103, last Feb. 19, TNT faced an early 12-point deficit against the backs-against-the-wall Batang Pier but turned things around with a 47-16 exchange in the second quarter.
“We were rusty at first but I kind of expected that. But the guys picked it up in the second quarter,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.