The TNT Tropang Giga wrapped up the no. 1 seed in Pool A of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup after a 99-79 rout of the NorthPort Batang Pier on Sunday, September 22, at the Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga exploded for 34 points in the final quarter to break open what had been a tight game for the first three periods.

From a slim 65-60 lead, TNT scored the first nine points of the fourth frame to build a double-digit advantage, and they never looked back from there.

“I think our defense is what has carried us through when our offense has been struggling, so we have to maintain that and improve on our offense,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes after his team limited the Batang Pier to 19 points in the fourth period.

“We have to now focus on getting to the next level if we want to go deep in the playoffs,” he added.

TNT got the job done even with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sitting out the contest, while Calvin Oftana was limited to seven minutes and 40 seconds after needing stitches in the first quarter.

Poy Erram led the way for the Tropang Giga with 17 points and 13 rebounds, while Rey Nambatac had 15 points and 11 boards on top of four steals.

TNT finished the elimination round with an 8-2 win-loss slate, the best record in Pool A.

Meanwhile, the Batang Pier wrapped up their campaign at 7-3.

Leading the way for NorthPort was Arvin Tolentino with 24 points. (ABS-CBN News)

TNT 99 — Erram 17, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 14, Galinato 11, Williams 9, Oftana 7, Castro 6, Khobuntin 5, Ebona 4, Vosotros 3, Payawal 3, Heruela 2, Varilla 2, Exciminiano 1.

NORTHPORT 79 — Tolentino 24, Flores 18, Onwubere 7, Jalalon 6, Yu 5, Navarro 5, Amores 4, Nelle 3, Munzon 2, Taha 2, Cuntapay 2, Tratter 0, Bulanadi 0.

Quarterscores: 19-25, 43-36, 65-60, 99-79.