PBA: TNT’s Grand Slam bid stays on track after escaping Magnolia
TNT Tropang 5G’s RR Pogoy during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
SCHEDULE: PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup 2025
TNT kept its Grand Slam dreams alive with a big comeback that led to an 89-88 victory over Magnolia on Wednesday that forced a rubber match in their PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinal duel at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
Kelly Williams hit the eventual winner by splitting his two freethrows that broke the tie with six seconds left before the Tropang 5G prevented Zavier Lucero from converting a last-second jumper and denied the Hotshots their first chance at a semifinals berth.
RR Pogoy scored 30 points while Williams and the returning Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser knocked down a pair of threes during the latter part as TNT extended the showdown to a knockout game on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
TNT Tropang 5G’s Kelly Williams during a PBA Philippine Cup game against Magnolia Hotshots. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
The winner faces either Rain or Shine or NLEX after the two teams also reached the limit in their own quarterfinals matchup following the Elasto Painters’ 92-89 triumph earlier in the day.
Magnolia tied things up after trailing 88-81 after Rome dela Rosa drained a three and Paul Lee knocked down a four-pointer.
Lee finished with 15 points while Lucero and William Navarro added 14 points apiece for the Hotshots.
Magnolia led by 13 at one point against a TNT team that was visibly frustrated with the officiating.
Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes even got called for a technical foul for kicking the chair in the second quarter.
