Vosotros delivers big hits as TNT outlasts Phoenix to snap winless streak
MANILA, Philippines – TNT finally snapped out of its funk in the PBA On Tour after grinding out a 96-88 win over Phoenix courtesy of a bevy of Almond Vosotros’ clutch baskets at the Ynares Sports Arena on Wednesday, July 19.
Vosotros finished with 16 points and 2 steals, taking over in the fourth quarter as the Tropang Giga barged into the winning column after losing their first seven games.
A day after guiding TNT to another PBA 3×3 leg title, Vosotros showed he has not lost his touch in the 5-on-5 game by scoring 10 points in a 13-1 run inside the final eight minutes that took the fight out of the Fuel Masters.
Trailing 71-81 at the end of the third salvo, Phoenix clawed its way back and pulled level at 83-83 after opening the final frame with a 12-2 blitz laced with 5 straight Sean Manganti points and capped by an RR Garcia trey.
But Vosotros answered with his own triple to regain the upper hand for the Tropang Giga and scored 7 points more, including 5 in a row that gave his side a 96-84 cushion, and eventually, the win.
“In 3×3, 5-on-5, Almond is Almond. Was not a surprise there,” said TNT deputy Sandy Arespacochaga. “We let Almond be Almond.”
Glenn Khobuntin powered the Tropang Giga with 21 points and 7 rebounds, Carl Bryan Cruz hit 15 points with 4 rebounds and 3 assists, while Kib Montalbo posted 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists.
Manganti tallied 18 points and 9 rebounds to pace the Fuel Masters, who absorbed their fourth straight loss and dropped to 3-7.
Garcia and Tyler Tio each had 15 points in the defeat, while Chris Lalata registered a 13-point, 13-rebound double-double before fouling out early in the fourth quarter.
The Scores
TNT 96 – Khobuntin 21, You 16, Cruz 15, Montalbo 13, Flores 9, Exciminiano 6, Mendoza 5, De Leon 5, Heruela 3, Marcelo 2, Cuntapay 1, Jopia 0
Phoenix 88 – Manganti 18, Tio 15, Garcia 15, Lalata 13, Mocon 10, Celda 7, Camacho 6, Rangel 2, Alejandro 2, Atienza 0, Fetalvero 0.
Quarters: 25-24, 51-40, 81-71, 96-88.
– Rappler.com