TNT, ROS seal pole spots

MANILA, Philippines — Even with Rondae Hollis Jefferson sitting it out and Calvin Oftana taking an early exit, TNT showed it had enough to bring home this warm-up gig ahead of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy rose to the occasion as the Tropang Giga trampled also-ran and import-less NorthPort, 99-79, to formally clinch No. 1 seeding in Group A last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Back in form after a year-long layoff due to injury, Erram banged in 17 points plus 13 rebounds and four assists while Nambatac produced a 15-11 game and Pogoy shot 14 spiked by three triples to power TNT to a final 8-2 card after the elims.

With a putback at the start of the fourth, Erram touched off a 14-2 barrage that keyed the breakaway for the Tropang Giga in the match where they missed Hollis Jefferson, who was sidelined by right ankle injury, and Oftana, who sustained a busted lip after colliding with Arvin Tolentino’s arm and left at the 4:19 of the opening period.

“Laging sinasabi ni coach (Chot Reyes) next man up mentality. You’re here sa team for a reason. That’s why everytime na may mga injured, may mangyayari, or nagkakasakit man, ‘yun ang mentality namin. Everybody in our team is always ready to perform when his name is called,” said Erram.

Young big man Henry Galinato (11) and veteran frontliner Kelly Williams (nine) also delivered, especially in the fourth where they scored five each in TNT’s 34-19 bombardment that put the game beyond reach of NorthPort (3-7).

The elims-ending win also put the defending champions back in the groove after falling to ousted Terrafirma, 72-84.

“Our conversation pregame was for us to retain our edge, to continue to be sharp because that’s what it’s going to take. We played three games this week and ganun din ang mangyayari sa playoffs. Hopefully we will be as prepared as can be for the playoffs,” said Reyes.

As Group A topnotcher, TNT is set for a date with the No. 4 of Group B – either NLEX or Blackwater – in the best of five quarterfinals.

Reyes, meanwhile, expects RHJ to be good to go by then.

“If you will notice, we already managed his minutes in the last game. But after that game, we decided to completely rest up his ankle so he should be okay (for the playoffs).”

Tolentino fired 24 in NorthPort’s final bow.