TNT Tropang Giga leaned on a monstrous performance from Calvin Oftana to escape Rain or Shine, 113-105 in overtime, and take a 2-0 lead in the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals Friday, June 27, at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Oftana dropped a career-high 39 points, including three clutch free throws that tied the game in regulation and seven more markers in OT that sealed TNT’s second straight win in the best-of-seven series.

Oftana leads TNT rally after Pogoy injury scare

The Tropang Giga absorbed a major blow when Roger Pogoy exited early in the second quarter with a suspected hamstring injury after scoring 11 points on 5-of-7 shooting. With their top scorer sidelined, Oftana took over—adding nine rebounds and taking charge late when it mattered most.

“We’re not done yet,” Oftana said after the game. “One game at a time. We haven’t proven anything.”

Chot Reyes was visibly relieved after seeing his team survive a rollercoaster match where they trailed by as many as 18 and led by 14. “It’s the refusal to give up,” he said. “This guy [Oftana] gave us a chance when he made those three free throws.”

Rain or Shine fights back, but TNT closes strong in OT

Rain or Shine, unlike in Game 1, stormed back with a 15-0 run led by Caelan Tiongson and Adrian Nocum. Jhonard Clarito gave the Elasto Painters a 99-96 lead late, but a costly foul by Gian Mamuyac allowed Oftana to drain the game-tying freebies with 7.7 seconds left.

Clarito tied the game again at 101 in OT, but TNT launched an 8-0 run behind triples from Oftana and Kelly Williams. Jordan Heading added 13 points and 11 assists, while Williams and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser teamed up for 17 points and 22 rebounds.

Nocum led Rain or Shine with 27 points, followed by Tiongson with 18, and Mamuyac and Clarito adding 16 apiece. The series shifts to Araneta Coliseum on Sunday for Game 3.