Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, September 3) – TNT Tropang Giga remained unbeaten after five games in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup following a 91-76 win over sister team Meralco Bolts, Friday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Rookie Mikey Williams – the 2021 PBA Draft fourth overall pick – displayed his best offensive game so far with the Tropang Giga as he finished with 27 points and four rebounds. The Filipino American shot 11-out-of-20 from the field.
“I still have a lot of work to do. This is just one game. There’s plenty more games to come,” said Williams, who also thanked TNT’s coaching staff and his teammates for helping him adjust to the style of play in the country.
RR Pogoy added 20 markers while Jayson Castro chipped in 14 points as TNT remains the only unbeaten team in the league.
TNT dominated the game from the start as Meralco never had a chance to lead in the game. They established their biggest lead at 30 in the middle of the third quarter, 65-35.
The Tropang Giga showed their offensive might as they dominated the Bolts in points from turnovers (32-17), second chance points (25-13), and points in the paint (46-34).
“We push them hard, but it’s really an art of understanding how to get them to a prepared state while still keeping them fresh,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes, who noted they need this mentality heading into their matchup against second place Magnolia on Sunday.
Nard Pinto led Meralco in a losing effort with 16 points while team captain Reynel Hugnatan added 14 as the Bolts fell to a 5-2 slate, good for third place in the team standings.
The Scores:
TNT 91 – M. Williams 27, Pogoy 20, Castro 14, Khobuntin 8, Erram 9, Heruela 5, Rosario 4, K. Williams 4, Marcelo 0, Montalbo 0
MERALCO 76 – Pinto 16, Hugnatan 14, Black 8, Hodge 8, Belo 6, Quinto 6, Newsome 5, Caram 4, Maliksi 3, Pasaol 2, Almazan 2, Jamito 2, Jackson 0, Jose 0
Quarterscores: 22-13, 54-26, 74-59, 91-76
