Rey Nambatac returned with a statement performance, steering TNT to a 93-78 victory over Phoenix Super LPG in the PBA Philippine Cup on Friday night at the Ynares Center in Montalban.

After missing TNT’s Grand Slam chase last season due to injury, Nambatac delivered a game-high 22 points on 9-of-14 shooting, including two triples, alongside five rebounds, three assists and a steal. His efforts sparked the Tropang Giga to a strong start in their campaign after falling short in last season’s All-Filipino Finals.

TNT pulls away in the second half

The Tropang Giga broke free from a slim 45-42 halftime lead with a decisive second-half surge, outscoring the Fuel Masters 48-37 to secure the win.

Calvin Oftana added 15 points, while Simon Enciso and new recruit Kevin Ferrer chipped in 12 apiece. Ferrer made an immediate impact off the bench, drilling four triples in five attempts to go with two rebounds, two blocks and an assist in 17 minutes.

TNT’s hot shooting from long range proved crucial, as they hit 15 of 35 three-point attempts. Enciso and Ferrer combined for eight treys, while Nambatac added two.

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Phoenix falters after gritty start

Phoenix hung tough early behind Tyler Tio, Jason Perkins, Kai Ballungay and Ken Tuffin, who all scored in double figures. But their offense sputtered in the second half as TNT tightened its defense.

The Fuel Masters connected on just 6 of 23 shots from beyond the arc in their debut under new head coach Willy Wilson. TNT’s experience and perimeter firepower proved too much as the Tropang Giga opened their PBA Philippine Cup campaign on a winning note.