MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga moved to within a win from making a comeback to the PBA Philippine Cup Finals after downing Magnolia Hotshots, 102-84, in Game 4 of their semifinal series on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
With the win, the Tropang Giga now holds a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven series against the Hotshots, the same situation in their Philippine Cup Finals clash last year in Bacolor, Pampanga.
TNT pulled away from Magnolia in the second half, holding the Purefoods franchise to just 16 third quarter points before erupting for 32 in the final frame.
Poy Erram led the Tropang Giga, who can close out the series on Friday, with 19 points, 13 rebounds, one assist, and one block off the bench.
RR Pogoy added 18 points, two rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Ian Sangalang made 19 markers, three rebounds, and one steal for the Hotshots.
In the first game, Meralco Bolts used a blistering start and was able to sustain it until the end to trip the San Miguel Beermen, 111-97 in Game 4 of their own series.
Meralco erupted for 36 points in the first quarter, resetting the league conference-high for a single quarter which the team made in Game 2, as it looked to bludgeon SMB early on.
The Beermen, however, recovered in the second quarter and came to within one, 48-49, with 1:49 left before halftime.
The Bolts got their bearing back to end the second period and eventually pulled away for good in the second half, even stretching their lead to as high as 22 early in the fourth quarter.
Aaron Black made 21 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, and one steal for Meralco, which tied their series again at 2-2.
Allein Maliksi added 19 points, four rebounds, and one assist. (PNA)
