Rey Nambatac knocked down the game-winning three-point shot to lift injury-riddled TNT past Converge, 110-107, and end its two-game losing skid in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
The Tropang 5G managed to overcome a sluggish start that saw them fall behind early, 3-20. But the coach Chot Reyes-mentored squad clawed its way back through patient execution with the left-handed Nambatac leading the way.
The former Letran star knocked down 18 of his game-high 30 points in the fourth quarter where TNT dominated Converge, 39-27.
Jordan Heading added 20 but left the game in the second half after hurting his left shoulder.
Henry Galinato had a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds for TNT, which continues to play without Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jayson Castro, who are all out due to various injuries. Kelly Williams also has yet to play as he is still in the United States due to personal reasons.
Roger Pogoy also appeared to have hurt his knee while driving hard to the basket in the second half. He lasted just 21 minutes and finished with five points on 2-of-10 shooting.
Import Darius Days scored 10 points on a 4-of-19 shooting in what served as his last game in a TNT uniform as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s brother Rahlir is set to take his spot.
Converge dropped its second straight match to fall into 3-2 while TNT improved to an even 2-2.
Jamaal Franklin marked his PBA return by scoring 30 points while Justine Baltazar had a double-double of 21 and 11 boards in the FiberXers.
