Hot-shooting TNT takes 2-0 Finals series lead over Magnolia

Mikey Williams put on another stellar performance as TNT overwhelmed Magnolia, 105-93, to take a 2-0 lead in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.

The 6-foot-2 Filipino-American guard finished with 28 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Tropang Giga converted 17 three-pointers in the game, the second largest in PBA Finals history, according to league statistics chief Fidel Mangonon.

Jayson Castro scored 16 points on 5-of-8 shooting spiked by 2 made baskets from beyond the arc while Troy Rosario tallied 12 markers, 5 boards and 1 block. Brian Heruela added 11 points and 1 steal.

“Execution and selflessness. The willingness of our players to make the extra pass and find the open guy. We always say in our offense, the ball has energy. So if they’re willing to share it and move then we just find the open man,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“You know that’s what led to the hot shooting in the first half but we talked about it at halftime. We knew it’s not going to last. And in the end, we’re still going to find, we’re still going to defend and rely on our defense to win the game and that’s what happened,” he added.

The Hotshots managed to bring the deficit down to 4 after having a 7-0 run in the 4th quarter but still failed to even the series at 1 game apiece after falling into the hands of the determined Tropang Giga.

Ian Sangalang posted 25 points, 8 rebounds and 2 steals in a losing effort while Paul Lee racked up 12 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist. Mark Barroca and Calvin Abueva contributed 11 points each for the 14-time PBA champs.

TNT 105 – M.Williams 28, Castro 16, , Rosario 12, Heruela 11, Reyes 10, Pogoy 9, Erram 6, Khobuntin 5, Montalbo 5, K.Williams 3, Exciminiano 0

Magnolia 93 – Sangalang 25, Lee 12, Barroca 11, Abueva 11, Dionisio 9, Ahanmisi 6, Jalalon 5, Reavis 4, Dela Rosa 2, Corpuz 0

Quarterscores: 40-27, 66-50, 86-79, 105-93.