After defeating Magnolia 98-93 on Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, TNT advanced to the PBA Season 48 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

Jayson Castro finished with 18 points, four rebounds, and seven assists, while Kelly Williams finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

After the unexpected 103-107 loss to Converge last Wednesday, the veterans spearheaded the team’s comeback.

Williams scored every point in the first three quarters, with eight coming in just the third canto as the Tropang Giga led by as much as 18.

Castro would play a significant role in the game’s final minutes, scoring six of the team’s final nine points. That assisted in foiling Aris Dionisio and Mark Barroca’s attempt to lead the Hotshots back.

With a 6-5 card to close up the elimination round, TNT secured the #4 seeds. They will now face Rain or Shine, the fifth seed, in a best-of-three match.

Additionally contributing significantly to the victory were seasoned players Jewel Ponferrada (10 points), Calvin Oftana (12 points), and Brian Heruela (13 points).

In contrast, Barroca scored a game-high 22 points to lead Magnolia in the ultimately unsuccessful rally. Dionisio scored 14 points and Ian Sangalang scored 21.

The Scores

TNT 98 – Williams 19, Castro 18, Heruela 13, Oftana 12, Ponferrada 10, Pogoy 7, Khobuntin 7, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 4, Montalbo 4, Aurin 2, Galinato 2, Varilla 0.

Magnolia 93 – Barroca 22, Sangalang 21, Dionisio 14, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 7, Jalalon 6, Balanza 5, Lee 3, Laput 2, Reavis 2, Tratter 2, Eriobu 0, Mendoza 0.

Quarter scores: 16-14; 47-36; 80-65; 98—93.

However, in the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals, there is an early Manila Clasico matchup.

Following their losses on Sunday night in the elimination round, Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia will play each other in the quarterfinals of the playoffs, which begin on Friday.

With a 7-4 record, the Kings finished at number two, while the Hotshots with a 6-5 record finished well down at number seven.

Ginebra had a two-point advantage over Magnolia.

Other quarterfinal matches pit fourth-seeded TNT against fifth-seeded Rain or Shine, and third-seeded Meralco against sixth-seeded NLEX.

It is a best-of-three series for both teams.

The winner of Northport vs. Terrafirma in the playoffs will play the top-seeded San Miguel Beermen.

There is also a twice-to-beat edge for the Beermen.