Calvin Oftana sparks TNT comeback vs. Rain or Shine in Chot Reyes’ return

PBA

Calvin Oftana hit timely baskets to tow TNT past Rain or Shine, 108-107, and marked head coach Chot Reyes’ return at the helm in the PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City. 

The Tropang Giga kept it close the whole time but they struggled to secure the lead as the youthful duo of Rence Nocum and Andrei Caracut led the charge for the Elasto Painters. 

However, Oftana regained his form, firing a huge triple to give his squad the lead back at 106-104 before he escaped the defense of Gabe Norwood and completed a layup for a four-point cushion with 50 seconds left in the game. Both baskets came from Jayson Castro’s dishes. 

Caracut then split his freebies before Jhonard Clarito nailed a basket, but time just ran out for the Elasto Painters as they wasted an early double-digit lead. 

Oftana finished with a double-double of 23 points and 14 rebounds alongside three assists and one steal while Kim Aurin poured in 21 markers built on five three-pointers.

RR Pogoy starred with 22 points while Castro tallied 14 markers off the bench together with seven assists, four rebounds, and one steal. 

Nocum and Santi Santillan both churned out 20 points while Caracut chimed in with 15 markers. 

Scores:

TNT 108 – Oftana 23, Pogoy 22, Aurin 21, Ganuelas-Rosser B. 15, Castro 14, Galinato 4, Khobuntin 4, Ganuelas-Rosser M. 3, Montalbo 2, Williams 0, Ebona 0, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Ponferrada 0.

Rain or Shine 107 – Nocum 20, Santillan 20, Caracut 15, Ildefonso 11, Belga 10, Datu 8, Demusis 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 5, Borboran 4, Norwood 2, Concepcion 0.

Quarters: 26-26, 51-52, 83-88, 108-107.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News