The TNT Tropang 5G evened their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup Finals series against the San Miguel Beermen at two games apiece after a commanding 110-87 victory in Game 4 on Wednesday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Calvin Oftana led the charge with 29 points, including five three-pointers, along with six rebounds and four steals.
“It was very important for us to get our offense on track. A way to beat a team like San Miguel is by scoring,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.
“Fortunately, we shot well from the field, but the most important thing was that we put up a complete game together. That’s a way to beat a team like this, to play like this for the full 48 minutes.”
Jordan Heading added 17 points and six assists, including a spectacular four-point shot from the backcourt, while Rey Nambatac contributed 13 points, five rebounds, and three assists.
TNT surged early with a 13-0 run to grab a 17-6 lead in the first quarter and maintained momentum to build a 28-point cushion, 58-30, at halftime after shooting 59.5% from the field.
A Simon Enciso triple pushed the lead to 35, 82-47, in the third quarter, effectively sealing the game.
The Tropang 5G will aim to regain the series lead in Friday’s Game 5 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
One concern for TNT is veteran RR Pogoy, who reaggravated a hamstring injury in the second quarter and did not return, leaving his availability for the rest of the Finals uncertain.
June Mar Fajardo’s Best Player of the Conference night ended in disappointment despite his 18-point, 16-rebound effort, while Don Trollano had 13 points and CJ Perez was limited to 11 on 4-of-15 shooting.