TNT takes control vs Meralco

ANTIPOLO , Philippines —  As it is, TNT is a lethal bunch when local aces Calvin Oftana and RR Pogoy join Bol Bol in the scoring fray.

Add in a third homegrown gunner like Jordan Heading and the Tropang 5G becomes a more destructive crew.

This much was evident as the Fil-Aussie guard produced his best offensive game of the conference, a 16-pointer, and spelled the difference in the defending champions’ 94-89 victory over Meralco at the start of the PBA Commissioner’s semifinals last night.

Heading’s jacked-up production complemented Bol’s 37-point, 11-rebound, eight-assist, six-block effort, Pogoy’s 21 and Oftana’s hard-earned 14 against the tough defense of the Bolts.

“They (Bolts) did a great job defending Calvin so it was important that we have another guy stepping up and when we get that other scorer aside from Roger and Calvin it really helps our scoring and the flow of our game. I think if we’re scoring well, it also energizes our defense,” said coach Chot Reyes.

Heading hasn’t been a major contributor on offense prior to this but he’s been playing his part on the other end, maintained Reyes.

“He’s been struggling with his shots the whole conference but we’ve been happy with the way he’s playing defense. We’re always telling the team there are many ways to impact the game, not just offensively. Today he had some key defensive stops, key defensive rebounds that he’s been doing the whole conference,” he said of Heading.

Engaged in a tight contest for the most part, the Tropang 5G created separation with a 15-2 salvo in a crucial five-minute span in the fourth.

Heading was the spearhead of that along with Oftana.

Reyes lauded TNT’s workrate in this opening victory.

“The foundation of our game plan is to not allow Meralco to outwork us and to win the ‘efforts stats’ – diving on loose balls, making deflections, setting good screens,” he said.

“I thought if we’re able to match their energy and effort, we’d give ourselves a good chance to win and I think in the end our defense really held strong so that was the story of the ball game.”

Marvin Jones posted 22-14 while Bong Quinto fired 17 for the Bolts, who are now hard-pressed to stop TNT from taking a 2-0 upperhand when the race-to-four series swings to the SM MOA Arena tomorrow for Game 2.