TNT picked up from where it left off in Game One and unleashed another blazing start Friday night before holding off repeated uprising by Magnolia en route to a 105-93 victory in Game Two of the PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven championship series at the Don Honorio Ventura State University gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Tropang Giga is now two wins away from securing their first PBA title in six years.
Rookie Mikey Williams continued to be the scourge on the Hotshots side as he sizzled early in the game with big baskets after another that allowed TNT to score 40 first-quarter points against Magnolia's 27.
Williams then played the fireman's role in the fourth period as he doused cold water to Magnolia's fiery rally.
The explosive rookie finished with 28 points, built around five triples. He is the leading candidate not only for Rookie of the Year honors but also for the Best Player in the Conference award.
The 28-point performance by Williams was the most scored by a rookie in a finals game since Mav Ahanmisi drilled in 30 points in Rain or Shine's 99-111 loss to Alaska in Game Four of the 2016 Commissioner's Cup.
Williams' torrid shooting also helped the Tropang Giga into setting the league's second most made triples in a finals game with 17 treys. The Tropang Giga hit a steady 42.5-percent clip, sinking 17 of 40 shots, from beyond the arc. TNT made 13 of its 17 treys in the first half.
TNT's 40 first-quarter points was also the most points scored in a finals game in 10 years. Incidentally, it was also Talk 'N Text which scored 40 points in Game One of the 2011 PBA Governors Cup finals against Petron. The Blaze Boosters, however, won that game, 89-88, and the series, 4-3.
But more than the explosive showing on Friday, the Tropang Giga had taken command of the series with a 2-0 lead.
"Execution, selflessness and the players' willingness to make the extra pass," said TNT coach Chot Reyes on the Tropang Giga's early domination.
"Our offense is all about sharing the ball and finding the open man. That led to our hot shooting in the first half."
The Tropang Giga's 66 points in the first half was also the most points scored in a half in a PBA finals game since Barangay Ginebra came away with 67 in a 130-100 bashing of the San Miguel Beermen in Game 4 of the 2018 PBA Commissioner's Cup best-of-seven championship series.
