PBA TAKEAWAYS: OFTANA, POGOY FIRE BLANKS IN THE CLUTCH ONCE MORE

BARANGAY Ginebra now turned the tide against TNT in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.

The Kings downed the cold-shooting Tropang Giga, 73-66, to finally take the upper hand in the best-of-seven title series for the first time, 3-2.

READ: Ginebra outduels TNT in Game 5 dogfight, moves a win from PBA title

Ginebra also became the first team to score consecutive victories in the finals, putting the team on the verge of bagging the mid-season conference championship.

Game 6 is set Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum with the Kings eyeing to regain the same title they last won in 2023 at the expense of the Bay Area Dragons.

Here are some of the takeaways in the low-scoring Game 5 Sunday night at the Big Dome.

1.CALVIN OFTANA, RR POGOY STRUGGLE IN THE CLUTCH ONCE AGAIN

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Can’t blame some fans who had begun referring to the two TNT gunners as the newest members of the 'Introvoys' - an internet slang from fans reserved to players, or team who start up hot but end up not fnishing the job. 

For the second straight game, both Oftana and Pogoy fizzled out in the homestretch after a sizzling start.

Oftana, who crowded out Arvin Tolentino for the Best Player of the Conference, was held scoreless in the second half to finish with eight points (3-of-8), while Pogoy scored only two points in the same stretch to likewise end up with eight points (3-of-10).

Oftana though had eight assists and Pogoy with three steals. But the two need to load up on offense especially in the crucial stretch if TNT would turn the series around.

2.TNT'S SHOOTING HAS ABANDONED THE TEAM

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Coach Chot Reyes was straight to the point – TNT can’t win it all if it can’t put the ball on the hoop.

In the Game 5 loss, the team that prides itself of its long distance shooting couldn’t find its range and was only 7-of-26 from three-point range (26 percent). Worse, it was 25-of-76 from the field for a low 32 percent.

The Tropang Giga didn’t make a field goal in the final six minutes of the game, the last of which a Kim Aurin jumper with 7:04 to go for a 64-61 TNT lead. The team’s final points were courtesy of two Rey Nambatac freebies, 66-65, with 4:25 left. The Kings then went on a closing 8-0 blast to take the win.

3.POY ERRAM SHOULD START CLEANING HIS ACT

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

The valuable contributions that Erram provides the team are obviously being overshadowed by his antics on and off the court.

READ: Chot reveals what he told Erram in spat during timeout huddle

That he’s seen arguing with coach Chot over and over again sends a bad signal to the fans and other teams that all’s not well within the organization.

It’s been the second time around Erram lost it in the finals, not to mention a similar shouting incident on the bench he had with teammate Glenn Khobuntin during the semifinals series with Rain or Shine.

Perhaps it would do the veteran big man well to seek continuous professional counselling once the conference is over.

It’s been no secret he already undergone the same process before during his early years with the team. Understanding the person more than vilifying him is the better way to treat the situation.

4.SCOTTIE THOMPSON STILL THE FACE OF GINEBRA

PHOTO: Mark Cristino

Despite the entry of guys like Jamie Malonzo, Stephen Holt, and of late RJ Abarrientos, Thompson remains the top player of the Kings and his validating the point in the ongoing finals where he’s been the most consistent local for the team.

The former MVP is averaging 14.6 points, 10.4 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 1.2 steals five games to the title series. Thompson had 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, and two steals in the Game 5 win as he teamed up with Justin Brownlee in that closing run, including back-to-back baskets against Oftana.

He’s a strong contender for the Finals MVP should the Kings win it all.

2025-03-24T14:11:29Z