Tropang Giga nose out Bolts

MANILA, Philippines — TNT Tropang Giga snapped a two-game losing skid, pulling off a 92-90 escape act versus Meralco to join a crowded middle pack in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Calvin Oftana drained the go-ahead trey in the last two minutes before sealing the win with yet another clutch hit down the stretch as the Tropang Giga made up for their wire-to-wire defeat to NorthPort the other day for a 3-3 slate.

Oftana, after settling for 13 points in a 112-96 loss to the rampaging Batang Pier, rediscovered his fiery form with 26 points on a crisp 6-of-8 shooting from downtown laced by nine rebounds and three blocks.

His timely eruption featured a booming triple that gave the Tropang Giga an 89-87 lead in the 2:07 mark before scooping a key lay-up in the last 48 seconds paired with Jayson Castro’s charities for a 92-87 separation en route to the pesky victory.

Castro added 15 points and six rebounds while Roger Pogoy, following a 34-point explosion that went down the drain against NorthPort, and rookie Henry Galinato chipped in 11 points apiece.

Kelly Williams hauled down 11 points and 13 rebounds in ably manning the middle for the Tropang Giga, who tied Blackwater (3-3) at fifth spot.

“I just asked the players how much they want it and if they’re willing to put in the effort and beat a great defensive and physical team like Meralco. The players responded,” said coach Chot Reyes.

Like its last loss against NorthPort, TNT struggled to find its rhythm in a 21-25 deficit after the opening salvo but flipped the script by outscoring Meralco, 28-15, in the second period, gaining a 49-40 lead at the half.

Later, Terrafirma pulled the rug from under Barangay Ginebra with a stunning 91-85 win for a 4-3 slate. The Gin Kings slid to 3-3 with their second straight loss.

Juami Tiongson (25) and Javi Gomez de Liaño (22) served as the biggest thorns as the Dyip scored only their second win against the crowd darlings in 23 meetings overall since their PBA entry in 2014.