The TNT Katropa played seamless basketball in the second half as they made it rain all over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 121-92, to become the first team to clinch a twice-to-beat advantage, Saturday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
With tonight’s result, both squads ended their respective elimination round campaign with similar 8-3 cards. Moreover this was Ginebra’s biggest loss under Tim Cone.
“We’ve always talked about everybody pitching in for us to be succesful every game. I think today players were really focused on the task, and they were all ready to contribute today,” lauded TNT head coach Nash Racela.
“It really helped us when we shoot really really well,” the first-year head coach added, as the Katropa shot an excellent 52 percent from the floor, nailing 17 triples in the process — with 10 coming from the second half.
Five players scored in double figures in the win, with Glen Rice, Jr. spearheading the attack with 36 points spiked by six treys on top of nine rebounds and four steals. Jayson Castro produced 28 points and seven assists.
The Katropa’s overwhelming onslaught kickstarted in the third chapter, with their guns goinv ablaze. Three consecutive treys by Rice, Jr. gave the team in blue its’ first 20-point lead of the match, 83-63, with 4:25 on the clock.
TNT then made it a one-sided affair all through out. They posted the game’s biggest lead at a whopping 32 points, 115-83, after seldom-used big man Frank Golla’s three-pointer of his own with 3:01 left in the final period.
Troy Rosario finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds for TNT. Roger Pogoy scored 15 as well, while Kelly Williams chipped in 10 markers and 11 caroms.
Justin Brownlee led the Barangay with 28 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Japeth Aguilar was the American’s only support as the six-foot-nine forward finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds.
With the loss, things have become bleaker for Ginebra in terms of securing a twice-to-beat edge. Their only chance of staying in the Top Four is if Star Hotshots (6-4) will be able to win tomorrow versus NLEX Road Warriors.
TNT had more rebounds, 57-48, and more assists, 23-19. Both teams though had 14 turnovers.
The Scores:
TNT 121 – Rice Jr. 36, Castro 28, Rosario 15, Pogoy 15, Williams 10, Semerad 4, Chua 4, Golla 3, Carey 2, Tautuaa 2, Seigle 2, Nuyles 0, Hernandez 0, Reyes 0, Lingganay 0.
Ginebra 92 – Bronwlee 28, Aguilar J. 19, Thompson 9, Devance 7, Tenorio 6, Mercado 6, Slaughter 4, Caguioa 4, Aguilar R. 4, Ferrer 3, Cruz 2, Mariano 0, Taha 0.
Quarterscores: 30-31, 57-49, 88-71, 121-92.
