TNT overcomes late Macau scare to open Govs’ Cup title defense

TNT overcame a late scare from Macau and eked out a 106-103 victory to open its title-retention bid in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 19. The Tropang 5G looked poised to easily take the win after establishing a 104-89 lead in the waning minutes but the Giant Pandas rallied back into the contest behind a 14-1 rally spearheaded by Damian Chongqui. Macau came too close for comfort and cut the lead down to just two, 103-105, before a Rey Nambatac free throw sealed the deal for the Tropang 5G. Nambatac stepped up in the absence of key players for TNT, finishing with 23 points and six assists while Darius Days had 23 points and six rebounds. RR Pogoy also added 21 while Glen Khobuntin chipped in 11 the Tropang 5G, who played without Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams. Devondre Perry paced Macau with 36 points and 10 rebounds but failed to finish the contest with an apparent shoulder injury. Chongqui added 24 points and eight assists for the Giant Pandas who remained winless through four outings.