Tropang 5G fend off Dyip

MANILA, Philippines -- TNT fended off a furious rally by the Terrafrima Dyip, returning to to the win column after a 101-89 victory in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila. 

The Tropang 5G led by 22 points but saw their advantage shrink to just six before regaining their touch late. 

Bol Bol finished with 35 points to go with 14 rebounds, four blocks, two assists and a steal. Calvin Oftana chipped in 20 markers, 12 boards, a dime and a steal. 

After the game, TNT head coach Chot Reyes said that they are “still very far from competing against the better teams in the league.” 

“We're still far from that level and I hope we can pick it up because the competition in this tournament, this conference is very tough,” Reyes said of TNT, who rose to 3-2. 

“Ang dami pang malakas na team. The way we're playing, like I said, we have so much more to work on,” he added. 

TNT led by double digits as early as the first quarter. The squad turned things up a notch and broke the game wide open in the third quarter as the advantage rose to 22, 76-54. 

But the Dyip, who started the import-laden conference with a 3-0 slate, stormed back. 

They were able to slice the deficit to six, 82-88, with 6:20 remaining after an and-one play by Brent Paraiso. 

The Tropang 5G then strung together a 6-1 run capped by a pair of free throws by Oftana to make it a 94-83 lead. 

Paraiso and Shawn Umali teamed up and made it a five-point contest anew, before TNT uncorked a 7-1 blitz for the win. 

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and RR Pogoy had nine points apiece, while Rey Nambatac and Avan Nava had six each. 

Mubashar Ali powered Terrafirma with 24 points, 17 rebounds, three rebounds and two steals. Jerrick Ahanmisi backstopped with 19 markers while Paraiso had 13 for the 3-3 Dyip.