Jansen Rios clamps Oftana as Meralco wins Game 3 vs TNT

Veteran Jansen Rios delivered a defensive masterclass, holding TNT star Calvin Oftana to only six points on 1-of-7 shooting as Meralco Bolts pulled back into the series with a 97–89 win over the TNT Tropang 5G in Game 3 of the PBA 50 Philippine Cup semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum, Jan. 9. 

The key to locking down Oftana, who averaged 27 points in the first two games was a simple personnel change. Coach Trillo tasked 10-year-veteran Jansen Rios to hound TNT’s star forward like a wolf.  

In games one and two, the 30-year-old Oftana torched Meralco defenders Raymond Almazan, Cliff Hodge, and Bong Quinto on 56.9% shooting. 

Trillo was left in a dilemma as the former San Beda Red Lion proved pivotal in TNT’s 21-point comeback win in game one and game two dominance. 

“TNT is a really hard team, they’ve been manhandling us the last two games, so just everybody from the coaching staff to the players is coming together to try to make it really hard for them,” said Trillo in a postgame conference.

As Rios clung onto Oftana like an ornament to a backpack zipper, the TNT forward became passive in the game, just standing in the corner and not involved in the action on some possessions. 

The 34-year-old Rios stood his ground and never let Oftana get substantial separation to score.

Meralco led as much as 16 points thanks to its three-point fortunes swapping around as the Bolts made eight threes tonight, much better compared to only one in the previous game. 

And the lone Meralco three-pointer of game two was drilled in the last two minutes.

Chris Banchero and CJ Cansino led the offensive charge for the Bolts, both scoring 18 points, as Chris Newsome chipped in 17 points on a team high +15 differential.

Meanwhile, RR Pogoy headed TNT with 28 points with five three-pointers as Pogoy single-handedly sliced a 16-point deficit down to four in the third frame with a personal 12–0 run, yet it wasn’t enough even with Rey Nambatac stepping up with 13 points in the contest.

Meralco not only erased TNT’s 3–0 lead hopes, but also spoiled the jersey number retirement ceremony of legendary TNT forward Ranidel De Ocampo, who also served as an assistant for the Tropang 5G.

The 6x PBA champion, 2x PBA finals MVP, and 9x PBA all star’s signature no. 33 was commemorated at halftime in front of the crowd as Jayson Castro and June Mar Fajardo sent heartfelt messages.

The Tropang 5G and the Bolts will resume semifinal action on Sunday, Jan. 11 at the Mall of Asia Arena.

With reports from PBA.ph