Engaged in a highly-physical and emotional encounter by Magnolia in the previous game, TNT showed up ready and played with more fun in Game Four of the PBA Philippine Cup finals on Wednesday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga..
The Tropang Giga came out more relaxed and more focused as TNT walloped Magnolia, 106-89, and moved on the threshold of winning its first title in six years.
Eight players scored eight points or more led by sensational rookie Mikey Williams, who came away with 26 points. Williams, who shot 6-of-11 from the three-point area, got more than a little help from his teammates in restoring control in the championship series a game after they were stunned by the Hotshots in an emotionally-charged Game Three.
The TNT rookie earlier lost the Best Player of the Conference award to Calvin Abueva of Magnolia but quickly returned to game mode and kept things under control for the Tropang Giga in Game Four.
Aside from Williams, the other key contributors for the Tropang Giga were Jayson Castro, who had 12 points and Dave Marcelo and Ryan Reyes, who had 10 points apiece.
Poy Erram, Roger Pogoy and Brian Heruela each tallied nine markers, while Kib Montalbo added eight for the Tropang Giga, who shot a steady 53.9% from the field (41-of-76) compared to Magnolia's 47.1% (32-of-68) shooting clip.
"We all have guys ready to play when the need arises," said TNT coach Chot Reyes, who will have a chance of winning a championship for the first time after nine years and his ninth title overall in the PBA.
"For example, Dave, who didn't even play in Game 2 or Game 1 in the series, but that never got him down. That's just the way this team is constructed. We have players, and they know when the need arises, they're going to get the call. I just kept reminding them, stay ready and Ryan has done a great job as well, in constantly talking and communicating with them so they can be ready."
TNT led by as many as 25 points, 68-43, in Game Four.
The Hotshots, on the other hand, were not able to keep up with the Tropang Giga's firepower and although they drew 28 points from Abueva, 17 from Ian Sangalang and 15 from Paul Lee, they didn't get the normal contributions from their energy guys, particularly Jio Jalalon.
Jalalon was only good for two points, making only 1 of 7 attempts from the field while Justin Melton, Aris Dionisio and Jackson Corpuz were all scoreless.
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