For the Road Warriors, Don Trollano comes through big with a well needed clutch for the win.
NLEX rallied from a 12 point deficit to defeat TNT, 90 – 89, in the PBA Season 47 Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center Antipolo on Thursday. Trollano smashes the finishing blow, a jumper with onl 2.2 seconds left on the game clock. A buzzer beater wins.
A recap of the NLEX vs TNT match
The Road Warriors moved to 2 – 1 as Trollano scored the game winning goal in the dying minutes of the game. Kevin Alas also assisted NLEX in regaining control of the game after the Road Warriors’ loss to San Miguel last week.
Kevin Alas dismisses the distraction of his mask. The injury and the probable worsening of it in case of a bad hit proves to be trivial for Alas who was on fire in the match.
“We expected na magiging mahirap ang laban ang TNT. Defending champion sila. Isa pang nagpahirap sa amin sa preparation is we were well-scouted,” [We expected TNT to have a tough fight. They are defending champions. Another thing that made it difficult for us in preparation is we were well-scouted] said NLEX coach Yeng Guiao, referring to the transfer of his assistant coach Jojo Lastimosa to TNT to take over the role as team manager.
NLEX prevailed after trailing 78 – 66 early in the fourth quarter, undoing RR Pogoy’s valiant effort on his 30th birthday. A grueling toe to toe match served as a birthday bash for the amazing athlete.
Calvin Oftana scored a game high 20 points for NLEX, while JR Quinahan added a much needed 18 points in the comeback effort.
But it was Alas who grabbed the lead in the fourth quarter, scoring 11 of his 16 points after receiving a stern lecture from head coach Yeng Guiao. The tight match keeps fans on the edge of their seats while coaches are on their toes gripping each second, everyone’s fingers crossed.
On a two on one break, Alas opted for a lob ball to Oftana, which led to a Troy Rosario layup, giving TNT an 80 – 72 lead.
That turned out to be the only field goal in NLEX’s 14 to 2 run as Alas scored the final six points of that run to tie the game at 80 to 80.
Alas also scored five straight baskets, including a game-winning free throw with 39.4 seconds left to put NLEX up 88 – 87, but Rosario answered with a jumper with 8.2 seconds left to give TNT a brief lead.
TNT fell down 2 to 2 as Pogoy completed with 28 points, including 17 in the first half.
Summary of Scores:
• NLEX scores 90 – Oftana 20, Quinahan 18, Alas 16, Trollano 11, Rosales 8, Magat 5, Ighalo 4, Miranda 2, Soyud 2, Varilla 2, Semerad 2, Chua 0. • TNT scores 89 – Pogoy 28, Erram 11, Rosario 11, K. Williams 11, Castro 8, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 5, Alejandro 4, Cruz 2, Reyes 2, Tungcab 2, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Banal 0.
Scores per Quarter: 26 – 24; 45 – 52; 66 – 74; 90 – 89.
