TNT Tropang Giga’s Kelly Williams, Calvin OFtana and Roger Pogoy during a PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Coach Chot Reyes hailed the resilience of TNT in surviving Magnolia, 80-79, in their knockout quarterfinal match that kept the Tropang 5G’s Grand Slam bid in the PBA Philippine Cup.
Kelly Williams’ two free throws with 2.7 seconds left saved TNT from the jaws of defeat and secured a semifinals berth despite needing to beat Magnolia twice entering the playoffs.
READ: PBA: TNT completes escape job vs Magnolia to book semis berth
TNT was also dealing with lack of manpower with Rey Nambatac left out of the playoff roster, Brian Heruela sustaining an injury in Wednesday’s first quarters affair and even Calvin Oftana playing through an ankle sprain.
“We’re lucky that Kelly made those two free throws because I don’t think we would last those five minutes if we went into overtime,” Reyes said after the thrilling contest at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
READ: PBA: TNT already a success this season, says Chot
“The spirit of the players, their unwillingness to give up were the keys here,” added the Tropang 5G mentor.
TNT coach Chot Reyes. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
Williams was one of the reasons for the win, not just those two foul shots but for his defense and timely offense. The 43-year-old finished with 10 points and 10 rebounds.
TNT also drew some big-time contributions from RR Pogoy and Oftana, who had 18 points apiece, plus another significant role on both ends for Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser with 12 points and five rebounds.
The Tropang 5G became the 18th team to beat an opponent in a quarterfinals that had a twice-to-beat incentive.
But TNT had to weather a 13-point deficit before winning 89-88 in the first meeting before weathering a Magnolia fightback from seven down in the fourth quarter of the do-or-die encounter.
