After outlasting the NLEX Road Warriors in overtime last Friday, the TNT Katropa once again figured in a nip-and-tuck game. And just like last Friday, it was the inexperience of their opponents that handed them the win, as the Katropa were able to stave off the Mahindra Floodbuster, 86-84, Sunday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
“At least today it wasn’t a come-from-behind win,” said head coach Nash Racela of the win, which sends them to 4-1. “I think we were leading all the way. During the half I was telling the team that is the time to build, develop good habits during the game.”
“Obviously today we weren’t able to do that. A lot of mistakes pa rin.”
Donte Greene anchored the Katropa with 24 points on 8-of-24 shooting and 14 rebounds. Troy Rosario and Jayson Castro backed him up with 11 and 10 points respectively, with both players shooting a combined 7-of-15.
The Floodbuster wiped out a 10-point deficit from the third canto and suddenly took the driver’s seat, 77-75, after a three-point play conversion by LA Revilla with 6:49 remaining. Both squads traded blows in the succeeding possessions.
With Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy conspiring on offense, the Katropa erected a 83-78 lead with 2:20 to go. But Revilla and Alex Mallari also converted on the other end to lift Mahindra within striking distance, 83-81, with 1:24 left.
Mahindra’s collapse began from there. Jason Deutchmann launched a trey with 16.4 ticks left, but he badly missed. Pogoy grabbed the ball, and Mahindra had no choice but to foul him.
After Pogoy’s charities, Mahindra had chances to convert with 12 seconds left. But unfortunately the final play, in Mallari’s hands, went botched as he drove in for a missed layup instead of a three. The game was finally sealed by Greene’s free throws with four seconds to go.
“It’s just good that we’re getting wins despite playing that way,” added Racela. “That’s something that we are starting to learn, despite struggles, still getting a win. Today was an example of that.”
Kelly Williams, despite scoring just four, hauled down 10 boards.
Keith Wright paced Mahindra with 26 points on 23 shots and 13 rebounds, while Revilla had 20. Mallari supplied 17 in the loss, which pulls them to 1-5 and their third loss in a row.
TNT clearly won the boards, 55-38, and their offensive rebounds were converted to 17 points. The Katropa’s bench also.played stellar as they contributed 31 points to their total.
TNT will try to extend their run against winless Globalport on April 21, Friday, 7:00 PM at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum, while Mahindra will look to end their slump versus San Miguel on April 19, Wednesday, 4:15 PM at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The Scores:
TNT (86) – Greene 24, Rosario 11, Castro 10, Tautuaa 9, Rosales 8, Pogoy 6, Fonacier 5, De Ocampo 5, Williams 4, Reyes 3, Carey 1, Tamsi 0.
Mahindra (84) – Wright 26, Revilla 20, Mallari 17, Elorde 6, Salva 5, Paniamogan 4, Deutchman 3, Caperal 2, Yee 1, Ballesteros 0, Corpuz 0, Celda 0, Guevarra 0, Galanza 0.
Quarterscores: 18-17, 47-38, 65-62, 86-84.
