Still got it, indeed.
It was literally Throwback Thursday when the TNT Katropa took on the San Miguel Beermen in Game Five of their best-of-seven series in the 2016-17 PBA Philippine Cup.
With the Katropa earning a 101-94 victory to take a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series, it was the veterans Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Kelly Williams who delivered greatly and gave out a performance just like the old times.
The Katropa’s three-headed monster, which was also the nucleus that gave TNT three straight All-Filipino crowns — proved to be the thorn on the side of SMB as they were the ones who made the final blows in their Game 5 salvo.
With the Beermen threatening to come back after closing in by one, 83-82, in the game’s payoff period, Williams and Castro served as TNT’s anchors on offense, joining hands to keep TNT at bay, 99-92, with 27.6 to go.
SMB tried one more run for a return, but all their hopes went to tatters as De Ocampo was sent to the line and made perfect charities, thus helping the Katropa seal the deal and approach Game 6 with the upper hand.
The trio fused for 54 points, with each producing 18 markers on a combined 20-of-34 shooting from the field. Williams added seven rebounds, while Castro tallied seven assists in their respective statlines.
“We’re trying to be like the San Antonio Spurs,” TNT coach Nash Racela quipped, with regards to the veterans’ stellar play.
“Again, if you review all the lineups in the PBA, we have the most number of veterans.”
Thursday night truly became reminiscent of the TNT’s dominant heydays years ago. The 6’6″ De Ocampo, however, admitted that it felt strange that the veterans joined forces and pulled through for the team.
“Actually hindi nga napa-practice simula pa nung eliminations na magkakasama kami sa loob ng court mga beterano,” shared De Ocampo.
“Lagi kaming may mix na mas bata. Siguro kahit papaano, nanumbalik yung dati — nagamay namin yung bawat isang mga beterano,” added the 35-year-old forward.
But for Williams and Castro, tonight’s victory was not just all because of the elders, but rather to the notable collective effort the Katropa exerted.
“Yun naman yung sinabi ni Coach sa’min eh, kailangan namin mag-step up. Tsaka as a team naman talaga, hindi lang yung puro veterans. Like [Kris] Rosales and [RR] Pogoy, maganda rin naman ipinakita,” pointed Castro.
“I’m proud of my guys for playing the way they did and responding to the other team. They’re incredibly tough team. We came here and we did what we had to do and get the win,” Williams furthered.
Now that the Katropa has a chance to close out the series in six games, the veterans, especially De Ocampo, are hoping that they can come out as sharp as they possibly can come Saturday night.
“Kailangan namin ng kumpleto at perpekto na game, yung halos wala talaga kaming mali para masara namin yung series,” De Ocampo marked.
