By Adrian Stewart Co

TNT Tropang Giga reached the finals of the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup following a 91-81 triumph over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the do-or-die Game 5 of the semifinals last night at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.

Bobby Ray Parks Jr. tallied 26 points, 10 rebounds and six assists. Simon Enciso added 12 markers while Anthony Washington, Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro chipped in 11 markers apiece for the Tropang Giga.

TNT will wait for the winner of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings-Meralco Bolts clash, for its opponent in the best-of-seven finale.

The Tropang Giga opened a 22-13 lead with Enciso nailing five straight points but the Fuel Masters managed to keep it close in the second period but late hits by Washington gave TNT a 40-34 halftime edge.

TNT increased the lead to 46-37 early in the third period after another triple by Washington but Phoenix rallied to within 43-46 before Castro and Parks connived on offense as the Tropang Giga build a 62-53 advantage.

Consecutive points from Parks and Pogoy to start the fourth gave TNT its largest lead at 75-58. The Phoenix made its last push as it rallied to within 79-87 but free throws by Parks iced the win for the Tropang Giga.

Calvin Abueva finished the match with 23 points, 13 rebounds and six assists, while Matthew Wright and Jason Perkins added 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Fuel Masters.

BOX SCORE:

TNT 91 – Parks 26, Enciso 12, Washington 11, Pogoy 11, Castro 11, Erram 9, Carey 4, Rosario 4, Montalbo 3, Reyes 0.

PHOENIX 81 – Abueva 23, Wright 13, Perkins 11, Chua 9, Jazul 8, Heruela 7, Rios 6, Mallari 4, Garcia 0.

Quarterscores: 25-20, 40-34, 62-53, 91-81./ASC, WDJ