TNT leaned on a third quarter rally to level the series 2-2 following a 106-98 win over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 50 Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.
Tropang 5G stole the momentum after outscoring the Gin Kings 25-15 in the third quarter before building up a 20-point lead (90-70) at the 7:12 mark of the payoff period.
The Gin Kings refused to fold easily with Justin Brownlee drilling back-to-back four-pointers, along with a jumper from John Abis that trimmed the deficit to 10 points.
TNT maintained control by strategically using the clock as Ginebra continued to foul to get as many possessions as possible in the last stretch of the match.
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Hot-shooting Heading
Jordan Heading topped TNT with 29 points anchored on 5-of-7 from the three-point area.
Chris McCullough added 24 markers and 14 boards.
Heading claimed the Player of the Game citation.
“My teammates did a good job finding me. I found some rhythm and I took advantage of it,” he said, following a post-game interview.
Heading’s scoring explosion helped TNT outscore Ginebra in the second, 34-32 and the third quarter, 25-15, despite the Gin Kings leading the first quarter at 21-16.
Jayson Castro added 14 markers, while Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 points, followed by Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser with 10 points.
Award sweep for Ginebra
The loss, however, spoiled the coronation of RJ Abarrientos and Brownlee as the Best Player and Best Import of the Conference, respectively.
Brownlee had a game-best 32 points, while Abarrientos notched 21 markers.
Meanwhile, Scottie Thompson was also recognized by the league following his new milestone of reaching the 5,000-point mark.
He scored an uncharacteristic four markers in the game after incurring five personal fouls.
Game 5 is scheduled on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
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