TNT dominates Phoenix, returns to AFC Finals

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The Tropang Giga stressed this by Phoenix, a first-time semifinalist trying grinding out a 91-81 victory over the to crash the Big Dance since taking Fuel Masters Friday to close out their over the old Barako Bull franchise semifinals duel and advance to the midway in the 2016 season.

PBA Philippine Cup finals at the Smart Calvin Abueva finished with 23 5G-powered AUF Gym in Angeles City. points, 13 rebounds, six assists and

Ray-Ray Parks once again shone the three blocks, but the usual help from brightest with 25 points, 10 rebounds the Fuel Masters' other main men did and six assists, with 15 of his points not come. coming in the fourth quarter that was Matthew Wright scored 13 points mainly responsible for keeping Phoenix but only a 5-of-16 field shooting, Jason at bay and powering TNT's charge Perkins had his own doubledouble to a second straight win in the series. of 11 points and as many rebounds

After wrapping up the best-of-five but did have four turnovers, duel at three games to two, the while RJ Jazul chipped in only eight Tropang Giga now face the winner of points. the other semis pairing pitting As a team, Phoenix made only 28 Barangay Ginebra against Meralco in of 77 field goal attempts, including 8of-41 the best-of-seven championship starting from beyond the arc, and also Sunday. committed 18 turnovers.

"It's good to be back in the finals. In contrast, four other TNT players I must commend the players... all of finished with at least 11 points, including them. They really stepped up," said Roger Pogoy, whose five-point TNT coach Bong Ravena, adding the cluster gave the Tropa a 75-58 spread wringer of a series his team just went that acted as cushion in yet another through should help it end a sevenyear Phoenix fightback that fell way short than championship drought in the in a 101-102 loss in Game 4. (NC) tournament formerly known as the AllFilipino.

Hats off to Phoenix," stated Ravena. "They really made us, you know, better every game that we played.

Kung gusto mong gumaling kailangan magaling din 'yung kalaban mo. It (series) helped us a lot. Salute to them."

The Scores:

TNT 91 - Parks 26, Enciso 12, Washington 11, Pogoy 11, Castro 11, Erram 9, Carey 4, Montalbo 3, Rosario 4, Reyes 0. PHOENIX 81 - Abueva 23, Wright 13, Perkins 11, Chua 9, Jazul 8, Heruela 7, Rios 6, Mallari 4, Garcia 0.

Quarters: 25-20; 40-34; 62-53; 91-81.