TNT's Calvin Oftana in action against Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, December 11, 2024 at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. PBA Images
MANILA -- Calvin Oftana exploded for 42 points to power TNT's 103-100 triumph against Magnolia in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Wednesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Oftana made 15 of his 23 field goals, including nine three-pointers, to steer the Tropang GIGA to their first win of the conference after dropping their first two assignments.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 41 points and 13 rebounds; he and Oftana were the only TNT players in double-digits.
TNT seized control of the game in the final period, where they pulled by away by 12 points off an RHJ dunk with less than eight minutes left, 89-77.
But they had to weather a late fightback by the Hotshots, and gave up a buzzer-beating three-pointer to Mark Barroca that clearly annoyed head coach Chot Reyes.
"I'm very, very upset with the way we finished this game. We gave up eight points in the last 40 seconds, and that goes against everything that we believe in and everything that we stand for as a team," he said.
"It's good to come out with the W, but it's really not something that ... We don't want to win that way," he added.
It was nonetheless a much-needed win for the Tropang GIGA, who also handed Magnolia their third loss in a row.
Ricardo Ratliffe led the Hotshots with 27 points, while Barroca, Calvin Abueva, and rookie guard Jerom Lastimosa each scored 18 points in a losing effort.
The Hotshots were playing without Paul Lee and Zavier Lucero due to injuries.
The Scores :
TNT 103 – Oftana 42, Hollis-Jefferson 41, Pogoy 6, Erram 6, Heruela 4, Nambatac 4, Razon 0, Galinato 0, Khobuntin 0, Varilla 0, Aurin 0
MAGNOLIA 100 – Ratliff 27, Barroca 18, Abueva 18, Lastimosa 18, Sangalang 9, Eriobu 5, Dionisio 3, Mendoza 2, Dela Rosa 0, Ahanmisi 0, Balanza 0
QUARTERS : 33-25, 52-48, 83-69, 103-100