By Adrian Stewart Co
TNT Tropang Giga moved closer to 2021 PBA Philippine Cup coronation after a 106-89 domination over Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots in Game 4 on Wednesday night at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Rookie Michael Williams continued his fine play with 26 points, including six three-point conversions, to go with seven assists as the Tropang Giga surged to a 3-1 edge in the best-of-seven championship series.
Jayson Castro added 12 points, while Ryan Reyes and Dave Marcelo contributed 10 markers apiece for the Tropang Giga, which can clinch their first PBA title since 2015 in Game 5 tonight.
“Our team is constructed in such a way that we have no first group or second group,” said Tropang Giga head coach Vincent Reyes. “We have 15 guys and anyone who is asked to come in to play a role is accountable to deliver.”
The Tropang Giga surged to a 14-10 start with early hits from Williams and Brian Heruela. Conversions from Calvin Abueva allowed the Hotshots to take a 24-19 edge but TNT tied the score at 24-all on five straight free throws by Castro.
Both teams traded leads early in the second before the Tropang Giga surged to a 39-29 lead on eight straight points by Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo. It grew to 57-39 at the half with conversions by Reyes.
TNT went on to build its largest lead at 68-43 early in the third quarter on baskets by Rosario, Williams and Roger Pogoy but Magnolia countered with a rally to trim the deficit to 66-80.
The Hotshots pulled even closer at 71-84 at the onset of the fourth period but the Tropang Giga got conversions from Pogoy and John Paul Erram to widen the edge to 91-72.
The Hotshots made its last push at 83-97 on baskets from Andy Mark Barroca but Williams drilled back-to-back shots from the three-point line as the Tropang Giga widened the lead to 106-87.
Calvin Abueva finished the match with 28 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, while Ian Sangalang and Paul Lee added 17 and 15 markers, respectively, for the Hotshots./ASC, WDJ