TNT on the cusp of PBA finals, but injuries continue to pile up

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Already missing star guard Roger Pogoy for the second straight game due to a hamstring issue, TNT sees Calvin Oftana and Kelly Williams suffer ankle injuries

MANILA, Philippines – TNT’s Grand Slam bid brims with promise. 

The Tropang 5G moved on the cusp of reaching the finals of the PBA Philippine Cup after a 108-92 win over Rain or Shine in Game 4 of the semifinals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, July 2. 

Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser formed a one-two punch and combined for 45 points as TNT gained a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and fueled aspirations of becoming the fifth team in PBA history to sweep all three conferences in a season. 

But head coach Chot Reyes is worried that the Tropang 5G do not have enough personnel to go all the way as two more key players got hurt. 

Already missing star guard Roger Pogoy (hamstring) for the second straight game, TNT saw Calvin Oftana and Kelly Williams suffer ankle injuries. 

“I’m only concerned if we have enough men because we’re just falling like flies,” said Reyes. “We lost Kelly today, Calvin as well. But just as it has been since Day 1, not only this conference but the entire season, whoever we have, next man up.” 

“For me going into the next game, that is my only concern, who do we have and how can I make best use out of whoever it is we have left.” 

Fortunately for the Tropang 5G, plenty of heroes rose to the occasion. 

Heading played arguably his best game in a TNT uniform as he churned out a game-high 23 points with 6 assists and 5 rebounds, knocking down big shots down the stretch to help keep the Elasto Painters at bay.

Acquired by the Tropang 5G in the middle of the conference, Heading fired 13 points in the fourth quarter, his layup with a minute left giving TNT a 108-89 lead to seal the deal.

Meanwhile, Ganuelas-Rosser produced a double-double of 22 points and 11 rebounds. 

The Scores

TNT 108 – Heading 23, Ganuelas-Rosser 22, Oftana 16, Khobuntin 16, Galinato 8, Erram 8, Aurin 7, Vosotros 6, Heruela 2, Nieto 0, Enciso 0, Williams 0.

Rain or Shine 92 – Norwood 18, Caracut 16, Tiongson 15, Nocum 12, Santillan 9, Datu 7, Mamuyac 7, Clarito 4, Malonzo 2, Asistio 2.

Quarters: 22-28, 41-47, 80-69, 108-92.

– Rappler.com