By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT rode a strong finishing kick and dispatched Rain or Shine, 97-89, to book a third straight Finals appearance, and, more importantly, get a shot at the prestigious Grand Slam in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Sunday, July 6.
Jordan Heading presided over a deciding 14-2 run inside the last five minutes to help the Tropang 5G pull away from an 80-all and reach the Finals despite missing the services of key players RR Pogoy, Kelly Williams, Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac.
The lefty gunner, who TNT acquired just before the playoffs, fired eight of his game-high 29 points during that deciding run in the waning minutes.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser provided support with 17 points, five rebounds and three blocks while Glenn Khobuntin, who had a late game altercation with Jhonard Clarito, added a double-double of 16 points and 12 rebounds.
Kim Aurin chipped in 13 while Calvin Oftana had a relatively quiet night with 12 though he had the crucial and-1 that triggered the run in the final frame.
Meanwhile, LA Tenorio stepped up big time and nailed the go-ahead triple with 3.1 seconds left to lift Barangay Ginebra to a nail-biting 88-87 victory and force a deciding Game 7 in their own semis series.
TNT 97 – Heading 29, Ganuelas-Rosser 17, Khobuntin 16, Aurin 13, Oftana 12, Heruela 5, Enciso 3, Erram 2, Varilla 0, Vosotros 0, Galinato 0
RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Tiongson 30, Caracut 15, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 9, Clarito 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 4, Malonzo 3, Datu 2, Norwood 0
QUARTERS: 28-27, 47-50, 69-70, 97-89
TNT 97 – Heading 29, Ganuelas-Rosser 17, Khobuntin 16, Aurin 13, Oftana 12, Heruela 5, Enciso 3, Erram 2, Varilla 0, Vosotros 0, Galinato 0
RAIN OR SHINE 89 – Tiongson 30, Caracut 15, Nocum 11, Mamuyac 9, Clarito 8, Asistio 7, Santillan 4, Malonzo 3, Datu 2, Norwood 0
QUARTERS: 28-27, 47-50, 69-70, 97-89
