By Adrian Stewart Co

TNT Tropang Giga drew first blood in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup finals with an 88-70 Game 1 domination over Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots Wednesday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Rookie Mikey Williams had a solid PBA finals debut with 21 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals to lead the Tropang Giga.

John Paul Erram added 14 markers, while Kelly Williams contributed 10 points as the Tropang Giga took a 1-0 advantage in the best-of-seven titular showdown.

Kelly, however, could be doubtful for the Tropang Giga in Game 2 tonight after being stretchered out of the venue in Game 1 due to extreme back spasms.

The Tropang Giga jumped to a 12-2 start behind early offense from Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo and Kelly. TNT maintained the edge at 24-14 after the first quarter on late hits by Roger Pogoy.

TNT were still on top by 10 points midway in the second quarter before widening their gap with inside hits by Dave Marcelo and consecutive treys by Mikey and Glenn Khobuntin for a 53-34 halftime edge.

The Hotshots trimmed the deficit to 16 points early in the third before the Tropang Giga took the fight away from them via conversions from Pogoy and Jeth Troy Rosario as the lead reached its largest at 32 points.

Paul Lee and Jackson Corpuz top-scored with 12 markers apiece, while Calvin Abueva chipped in double-double 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Hotshots.

BOX SCORE:

TNT 88 – M. Williams 21, Erram 14, K. Williams 10, Rosario 8, Montalbo 7, Pogoy 7, Mendoza 6, Khobuntin 5, Marcelo 4, Reyes 3, Alejandro 2, Castro 1, Heruela 0, Exciminiano 0, Javier 0.

MAGNOLIA 70 – Lee 12, Corpuz 12, Abueva 11, Dela Rosa 7, Sangalang 5, Ahanmisi 5, Barroca 4, De Leon 4, Capobres 4, Jalalon 3, Pascual 2, Brill 1, Reavis 0, Melton 0, Dionisio 0.

Quarterscores: 24-14, 53-34, 74-48, 88-70./ASC, WDJ