The TNT Katropa faced a good test in their 2017 Governor’s Cup opener on Friday night versus an upset-hungry Kia Picanto, but were able to ace it as they came out victorious, 106-96, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
“We didn’t really know what to expect coming into the game,” admitted TNT head coach Nash Racela, whose side is coming off a six-game Finals series versus San Miguel weeks ago. “We made sure to give our players rest.”
Import Michael Craig impressed in his debut, tallying a triple-double with 21 points on 15 shots alongside 13 rebounds and 12 assists. However, the hulking 6-foot-5 American’s statline was negated by nine turnovers.
“He looks still heavy. Not still his playing weight. But he’s getting there. He lost a lot of pounds,” said Racela of Craig. “We didn’t know what to expect from our import, but its good that we’re seeing positive things.”
The Katropa once led by 17, 72-55, with 6:24 left in the third canto, but Markieth Cummings powered Kia’s 15-5 surge with 12 points early in the payoff period to pull the team in red within striking distance, 96-91, with 3:41 to go.
That, however, proved to be Picanto’s last gap. Mo Tautuaa stopped the bleeding for TNT with four straight points, 100-91, and the 1-2 punch of Troy Rosario and Jayson Castro chipped in TNT’s final six points to keep Kia at bay and seal the deal.
Rosario was aggressive right from the get-go, and supplied 18 markers and 10 rebounds for TNT. Jayson Castro filled the stat sheet with 16 points, four boards, and four dimes, while Kelly Williams added 11.
Cummings powered the now-0-3 Kia with 27 points and seven boards, but had 10 errors. Point guard Reden Celda was his only support with 14 markers.
Miscues were the problems of both teams in the match. TNT committed 25, while Kia had 23. However, the Picanto scored off their opponents’ errors better, as they converted it to 28 points. And, Kia’s bench outplayed TNT’s, 46-33.
Both squads will play on August 2, Wednesday, at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum. Kia will try to bounce back as they play Barangay Ginebra at 4:15 PM, while TNT will battle rivals San Miguel Beermen at 7:00 PM.
The Scores:
TNT 106 – Craig 21, Rosario 18, Castro 16, Williams 11, Hernandez 8, Pogoy 8, Semerad 7, Tautuaa 7, De Ocampo 6, Carey 4, Garcia 0, Seigle 0, Tamsi 0.
Kia 96 – Cummings 27, Celda 14, Revilla 8, Salva 8, Paniamogan 8, Corpuz 5, Elorde 5, Khobuntin 4, Galanza 4, Camson 4, Jaime 3, Nimes 3, Deutchman 3, Yee 0.
Quarterscores: 25-21, 53-44, 79-71, 106-96.
