Oftana shows way as TNT nears finals seat

Calvin Oftana erupted for 26 points and powered TNT to a 93-85 win over Rain or Shine in Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinals for a commanding 3-1 series lead Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson having a quiet offensive night, the locals led by Oftana picked up the slack as the Tropang Giga rediscovered their winning ways after yielding the previous match.

“Our pre-game was very simple, I just challenged them to play better,” TNT coach Chot Reyes said.

“We just told them to be better screeners, be better passers, be better defenders, just make sure that you are better today. And whatever happens come what may we’re fine with it. But we just wanted to make sure we play better today and put in better effort,” he added.

“I think the players responded very well. There were great hustle plays on our end and I think in the end that was the difference.”

Oftana shot 12-of-21 from the field and had four assists and three rebounds for TNT, which can close the series on Friday at the same venue.

RR Pogoy had 22 points, Hollis-Jefferson posted 17 points and 11 rebounds while Rey Nambatac scored 12 for the Tropang Giga.

TNT built an 11-point lead, 62-51, after a Hollis-Jefferson layup with 8:52 left in the third period. It was enough to cushion the Elasto Painters’ repeated attempts to comeback.       

Jhonard Clarito’s trey gave Rain or Shine one final push in the fourth canto, drawing close, 86-81, with 1:43 left but Kim Aurin quickly fired back a triple followed by an Oftana basket with 46 seconds left that sealed the deal for TNT.

Deon Thompson saw his 44-point, 13-board effort go down the drain as the Elasto Painters were pushed on the brink of another semis exit.

No other Rain or Shine player reached double-figure scoring with Adrian Nocum held down to just four points after averaging 17.7 points in the first three games.

The scores:

TNT (93) --- Oftana 26, Pogoy 22, Hollis-Jefferson 17, Nambatac 12, Aurin 9, Erram 4, Williams 3, Razon 0, Khobuntin 0

RAIN OR SHINE (85) –-- Thompson 44, Datu 8, Asistio 8, Caracut 6, Tiongson 6, Clarito 5, Nocum 4, Mamauyac 4, Norwood 0, Santillan 0

Quarters: 26-21, 53-43, 73-67, 93-85