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PBA: TNT holds off Magnolia to stay unbeaten

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Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img alt="TNT" s="" Kelly="" Williams="" puts="" up="" a="" shot="" against="" the="" Magnolia="" Hotshots.="" PBA="" media="" src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2021/sports/09/05/pba-(1).jpg"/><figcaption>TNT&#x27;s Kelly Williams puts up a shot against the Magnolia Hotshots. PBA Media Bureau.</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATED) - The TNT Tropang GIGA remained undefeated in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after fending off the Magnolia Hotshots, 83-76, on Sunday evening at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.Kelly Williams turned back the clock, putting up 13 points, 15 rebounds, three blocks and two steals in a vintage performance to lead the Tropang GIGA to their sixth consecutive win in the conference. This marks the first time that Chot Reyes has gotten off to a 6-0 start in his coaching career in the PBA.Jayson Castro had 17 points and four assists, while rookie Mikey Williams contributed 14 points. Poy Erram missed out on a double-double with nine points and 10 rebounds, and hit the dagger three-pointer with just over a minute to go.&quot;(Magnolia) is a very hard-hustling team, Magnolia. Their strength really is their ability to outwork the other team,&quot; said Reyes afterward. &quot;Our focus for this game became very simple -- just make sure that we outworked them.&quot;&quot;They do not outwork us. That at least, we&#x27;re able to match their intensity. So, you know, I think we were able to do that,&quot; he added. &quot;(There were) still some lapses… but at least, I think we didn&#x27;t back down.&quot;TNT seized control of the game late in the second quarter, when Erram nailed a jumper that gave them a 33-32 lead with 36 seconds to go. Castro then beat the buzzer for a jump shot of his own, giving the Tropang GIGA a three-point cushion, 35-32, at the half.It was a lead that TNT wouldn&#x27;t relinquish. After Magnolia got to within one point early in the third period, 36-37, Castro and Roger Pogoy sparked a quick 9-2 blast that made it 46-38. They led by as much as 13 points, 69-56, off a Castro triple with just over seven minutes to play.Jio Jalalon and Calvin Abueva helped the Hotshots get back within striking distance, as a bucket by &quot;The Beast&quot; made it a six-point game, 78-72, with still a minute and 19 seconds left. But in the next possession, Erram shook off his defender and stepped back for the three-pointer that made it a nine-point game, 81-72, with just 65 seconds to go.&quot;I think we all did a good job of making sure we played our position,&quot; said Williams, who earned Player of the Game honors but also tweaked his ankle late while diving for a loose ball. &quot;So it&#x27;s just playing for each other, and we never really know who&#x27;s gonna come out and play well. I think that&#x27;s one of the strengths of our team.&quot;The Hotshots have now lost two of their last three games since the resumption of the PBA season in a &quot;semi-bubble&quot; in Pampanga. Abueva finished with 23 points and six rebounds, while Paul Lee had 13 points in just 27 minutes of playing time. Magnolia shot just 36.5% from the field, including only 1-of-15 from beyond the arc.Magnolia is now 5-2 in the conference, tied with the Meralco Bolts for a share of second place.

The TNT Tropang GIGA remained undefeated in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after fending off the Magnolia Hotshots, 83-76, on Sunday evening.

PBA: TNT holds off Magnolia to stay unbeaten

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PBA: TNT holds off Magnolia to stay unbeaten

Camille B. Naredo,

ABS-CBN News

Published September 05, 2021 06:45 PM PHT

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Updated September 05, 2021 07:59 PM PHT

Read More:

PBA

PBA Philippine Cup

TNT Tropang GIGA

Magnolia Hotshots

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