The TNT Tropang Giga is scheduled for a head-to-head game against the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 3:45 PM on November 27, 2020, live from the AUF Sports Arena and Cultural Center in Angeles City, Pampanga.
TNT and Phoenix duke it out for the last time in the PBA bubble as they tangle in a win-or-go-home match for the coveted finals berth, with the former surely to bank on the momentum it acquired when it bested the latter in a nail-biting 102-101 victory the last time out.
Bobby Ray Parks Jr. stepped up anew and unleashed a game-high 36 points to tie the series at 2-2. Of the total points he scored throughout the match, Parks unloaded 17 in the final quarter. The TNT ace player also finished with 6 assists and 2 steals.
In his first start of the conference for Tropang Giga, Jayson Castro chipped in 21 points, 5 assists, and 3 steals. At the same time, Roger Pogoy and Simon Enciso contributed 18 and 14 points, respectively, with the former finishing with 3 rebounds.
Furthermore, in a surprise starting role for the Bong Ravena-head coach TNT, Jay Washington played a pivotal part for Tropang Giga with 6 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 blocks.
“All we have to do is play harder, smarter. The past games have been winnable for us. While we were trailing most of the time, we were still able to catch up. In fact, we were able to take the lead at some point,” TNT coach Bong Ravena said.
“Naniniwala pa rin naman kami kay Poy, kay Troy. Alam namin lalabas din ‘yan, lalabas din laro nila. They have to be consistent, especially on defense. Our points, our offense, is really Ray-Ray, who can shoot, Jayson. We have no problem with our offense. Basically, it’s our defense that really counts,” added Ravena.
“There’s nothing to celebrate. Our goal was to even the series. But we have to be ready for Phoenix also. We respect them so much. We know they can play; they can finish the game. We’re not gonna relax. The longer the series is, the harder it is for us. So we have to want that game so bad. We have to work hard and really want that game,” Ravena further stressed.
Just like Parks, on 7-for-10 shooting from three-point range, Matthew Wright has scored more than 30 points in Game 4. However, his squad was hurt badly by 27 turnovers. Of the Fuel Masters’ total turnovers in the match, “The Beast” Calvin Abueva had eight turnovers to his name.
Nonetheless, Abueva had a double-double of 17 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks. On the other hand, Jason Perkins contributed 19 points behind 3-of-4 shooting from a three-point distance and 5 rebounds.
Tropang Giga is eyeing to reach the All-Filipino finals for the first time since 2013, while Fuel Masters is hell-bent on finally getting over the hump, seeking a maiden PBA finals appearance in franchise history.
With the first 4 games of the best-of-five semifinals series decided by an average margin of only 3.5 points, expect nothing but an exciting matchup between the second-seeded and the third-seeded teams in the PBA bubble.