TNT welcomes back key cogs with rout of hapless Titan Ultra

Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser emerged as best player of TNT’s blowout of Titan Ultra. It’s just his second game since returning from a sprained ankle, and already, he’s slowly looking like his old self.

“It’s getting better,” Ganuelas-Rosser said after scoring 19 points in the Tropang 5G’s 114-80 rout of the Giant Risers in the PBA Governors’ Cup on a rainy Saturday night at Ynares Center Montalban in Rodriguez, Rizal.

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There’s more good news for TNT.

Ganuelas-Rosser wasn’t the only player who returned to action in the win that improved TNT’s record to 4-3, which put the team in third place in Group A. RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading also suited up and looked in shape after sitting out the last two matches.

Heading, in fact, led the team in scoring with 23 points while Pogoy played 25 minutes and had four points, two rebounds, three assists and two steals.

“Obviously [the return of key players] makes me happy; it makes the job easier,” Reyes said. “It’s only easier, but it is by no means an easy situation because all of the teams in our group are tough. Having a full complement helps us with our depth. Hopefully, with a full roster, we can finish games better.”

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Reyes and TNT, however, are still waiting for several key players to get cleared for a return: Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams remain decommissioned due to injuries.

Import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson had 18 points and 12 rebounds in a much-improved showing after a feel-out debut in an overtime victory the previous Saturday against San Miguel Beer.

Heavy downpour

Titan Ultra dropped to 2-6 in another uninspiring showing for the bottom-feeding side of the group.

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The game pushed through despite another day of heavy downpour, with the venue also marred by slight delays due to a water leak. It wasn’t, however, as bad as the previous night when the nightcap between Magnolia and Meralco was delayed at Ninoy Aquino Stadium for the same reason.

The game went into a lull for almost an hour as workers scrambled to control the leak at the start of the fourth quarter. Magnolia eventually won, 105-88.

San Miguel Beer and Macau were playing at press time, though the start was likewise delayed due to another leak.

The Beermen went off to a great start against the guests, but play was halted near the end of the first quarter, with San Miguel holding a 35-20 lead.

On Sunday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium, Rain or Shine and Phoenix battle in the 5:15 p.m. opener with both teams going for the top spot in Group B. Both teams hold identical 4-2 slates.

Barangay Ginebra, which is coming off a big victory over Phoenix last Wednesday, will look to improve on its 2-3 record in the other game when it battles Blackwater (3-3).

That game is scheduled to start at 7:30 p.m., unless delays caused by the inclement weather again interrupt the games. INQ

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