WITH Simon Enciso leading a TNT bombardment from long distance, the Tropang 5G stormed to their sixth consecutive win in the PBA Philippine Cup off a horrendous 0-3 start.
Enciso, one of those backcourt men tasked with filling the shoes of injured aces Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac, fired triples in a brilliant 19-point shooting night as he sparked TNT past Blackwater, 108-82, Friday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Enciso started the breakaway in the second canto, where his two three-pointers sparked an 18-6 barrage off a tight 36-34 contest.
In all, TNT dropped 16 three-pointers in the streak-extending win on a rainy night with five others hitting the mark from deep, including Kelly Williams and Calvin Oftana, who drilled in three apiece.
Williams finished with 15 and Oftana 14 as the grand slam-seeking Tropang 5G drew level with Barangay Ginebra (6-3) and Rain or Shine (6-3) at fourth spot and boosted their quest for the advantageous Top 4 seeding.
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"We talked about how winning this ball game will give us a chance," said coach Chot Reyes, whose squad intends to make the most of this opportunity by hurdling tough opponents Ginebra on Sunday and Magnolia on Friday.
"All we're asking for is a chance and now we have a chance. But we all know how difficult that road is going to be. We'll see what happens," he added.
Mike Nieto, a free agent signed up recently to address TNT's woes in the 1 and 2 positions, made his debut and contributed two points and two rebounds in 12 minutes.
His former Converge teammate, Jordan Heading, didn't report for action yet, though.
Heading, whom the Tropang 5G acquired in a high-profile swap for Mikey Williams, is still recovering from a back injury and watched the match in street clothes.
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"He's really day-to-day, He still has that back injury he's recovering from and secondly, he's been inactive for a long while. Hindi ganon kadali 'yun," Reyes said of the Fil-Aussie.
Even without Heading, a known outside gunner, TNT's long-range arsenal was on target and significantly helped in securing the crucial W and sending the Bossing to their sixth consecutive loss and 1-8 overall. (OL)
The Scores:
TNT 108 - Enciso 19, K.Williams 15, Oftana 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 12, Erram 11, Aurin 10, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 6, Vosotros 6, Nieto 4, Ebona 2, Heruala 0, Varilla 0.
Blackwater 82 - David 13, Barefield 13, Mallilin 9, Ayonayon 9, Ilagan 8, Tratter 6, Chua 6, Caperal 5, Andrade 3, Mitchell 2, Guinto 2, Escoto 2, Corteza 2, Jopia 2, Casio 0.
Quarterscores: 24-22, 54-40, 87-61, 108-82
