Photo credit: PBA Images
TNT Tropang GIGA secured a come-from-behind victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 108-107 in the opening day of the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, February 28 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Five Tropang Giga players finished in double-digits, with Calvin Oftana leading the way by securing a double-double of 23 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, and a steal. RR Pogoy and Kim Aurin were hot from beyond the arc. Pogoy finished with 22 points (4/5 3pts), along with 1 rebound and a steal, while Aurin added 21 points on 5-of-7 threes, 1 rebound, one assist, and two steals.
In his TNT debut, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser notched a double-double with 15 points on 6-of-13 shooting, along with 14 rebounds and three assists in 30 minutes of play. Veteran guard Jayson Castro delivered a solid game with 14 points, 4 rebounds, a game-high seven assists, and one steal resulting in a win for Chot Reyes in his first game back as the head coach of the Tropang Giga.
"To be honest, I don’t know how we won that game. I think we were just lucky that Rain or Shine missed their free throws. We gave away too many free throws. If Rain or Shine made half of the free throws that they missed, I think we would have lost this ballgame easily. We dodged a bullet in this ballgame.” coach Reyes said during the post-game press conference.
The Scores:
TNT 108 - Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, M. Ganuelas-Rosser 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferada 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 107 – Santillan 20, Nocum 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Clarito 6, Demusis 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0.
Quarters: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107. [GAME STATS] | [GAME HIGHLIGHTS] | [JORDAN]
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