MANILA, Philippines — Veteran big man Poy Erram kicked off TNT’s game-long brilliance to score a runaway 102-83 triumph against undermanned Meralco en route to a commanding 3-1 lead in their PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
The 36-year-old Erram dropped 21 points on a perfect 8-of-8 shooting in the opening half to help the Tropang 5G grab a 45-38 halftime lead.
The rest of the TNT side took the cue from there, with Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading and Kelly Williams chipping in on offense to help the team erect its biggest lead at 24 points, en route to the victory.
The Tropang 5G can wrap up the series with another win on Wednesday as Game 5 shifts back to the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Bolts missed the services of ace wingman Chris Newsome who sustained a hyperextended left knee, which he sustained last Friday in Game 3.
Without Newsome’s veteran presence, the Bolts lost their team leader, and possibly, the series if they can’t come up with a win in Game 5.
Erram, who helped Gilas retain its Southeast Asian Games men’s cage title recently, led TNT with 27 points, nine rebounds and three blocks.
Heading finished with 15 and eight, while Oftana chipped in 14.
Chris Banchero led Meralco with 19 points, while Cliff Hodge and CJ Cansino chipped in 17 each.