Deon Thompson put in a conference-high 44 points for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
But this did not matter as Calvin Oftana and three other teammates scored in double figures as the TNT Tropang Giga went on to post a 93-85 edging of the Painters in Game 4 of their Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven semifinals on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Coach Chot Reyes said Thompson can carry the scoring load for the Elasto Painters, but the Tropang Giga must be able to control the game when that happens.
“Thompson should be able to get his points. But we should be able to control the offense,” said Reyes after the Tropang Giga posted their third win in four games.
Oftana struck with 26 points for the Tropang Giga, who can earn a finals’ berth on Friday if they post their fourth triumph over the Elasto Painters in the series. Game 5 is set at 5 p.m.
Meanwhile, Barangay Ginebra, which was looking forward to a four-game semifinal sweep, is expected to bounce back, also this Friday at 7:30 p.m. against NorthPort.
The Batang Pier earlier foiled the Kings’ bid for an outright finals slot with a 108-103 triumph on Wednesday night.
Ginebra is still ahead in the series at 3-1.
RR Pogoy had 22 points, while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson added 17 points and Rey Nambatac chipped in 12 for the Tropang Giga.
The 32-year-old Pogoy drilled in 14 points in the second period as TNT took a 53-43 halftime spread.
The Tropang Giga will again play without Jayson Castro, who is recovering after a successful surgery on the patella tendon tear on his right knee, which he suffered in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals. Castro will now need a year to recover.
“I just challenged the players to be better, to be better screeners, to be better passers and defenders, and just be better whatever happens,” said Reyes.