TNT bucked a slow start before buckling down to work in the second half to turn back Blackwater, 108-98, in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup Saturday at the Philsports Arena.
The Tropang Giga’s defense did the trick, forcing the Bossing to commit a season-high 31 turnovers.
That resulted in 34 points off turnovers for the Tropang Giga, who bounced back strong from their previous loss to NLEX and got back on the winning track.
TNT picked up its third win in five games while dealing the Bossing their fourth loss in seven games.
Cameron Oliver, who had dismal second half in their loss to the Road Warriors last time around, came up with 38 points and 10 boards while former Finals Most Valuable Player and reigning scoring champion Mikey Williams played his best game since returning from an ankle injury.
Against the Bossing, Williams was on fire, shooting 28 points, including six triples.
The Tropang Giga won despite getting outrebounded, 46-36, by the Bossing, who drew double-digit production from six players led by another solid all-around game from Cameron Krutwig.
Krutwig, the youngest import playing so far at 23, finished with 25 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and three steals, but turned the ball over six times.
The scores:
TNT (108) — Oliver 38, Williams 28, Oftana 11, Pogoy 11, K. Williams 7, Castro 6, Tungcab 5, Erram 2, Montalbo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
Blackwater (98) — Krutwig 25, Amer 16, Suerte 15, Ular 13, Banal 12, McCarthy 11, Jackson 4, Taha 2, Melton 0, Ayonayon 0, Publico 0.
Quarters: 24-27; 53-51; 83-72; 108-98.