Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
2018 pba commissioners cup – tnt def columbian – joshua smith
2018 pba commissioners cup – tnt def columbian – joshua smith

Basketball

Joshua Smith receives warm welcome as TNT clobbers Columbian


The TNT Katropa gave returning import Joshua Smith a fitting welcome to the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup by scoring a 28-point rout of the Columbian Dyip, 123-95, Friday evening at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

The Katropa have improved to 5-1 to gain a share of the top spot of the standings with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (5-1), and to move a win away from at least a quarterfinal spot. The Dyip, on the other hand, fell to 3-4.

Smith, who returned to TNT to replace Jeremy Tyler, finished with 11 points and three rebounds in 13 minutes. He didn’t have to play that long, as the Katropa already had the game in their hands as early as the first quarter.

TNT open the bout with a 14-2 run, and that alone made things hard for their counterparts. As a result, the Katropa ended the first half with a 32-point lead, 72-40, after Jericho Cruz’s half-court shot at the buzzer went in.

The Texters’ lead ballooned to as huge as 40, 117-77, after Terrence Romeo’s three-pointer with six minutes remaining in the final chapter.

“We knew going to this game that Columbian Dyip is definitely a better team right now… We made sure from the top that we will be able to match whatever they throw at us,” said Katropa head coach Nash Racela.

Troy Rosario spearheaded the welcoming committee with 21 points in 19 minutes. Romeo provided 19 points, seven rebounds, and five assists, while Cruz fired 17 markers on top of seven dimes and six caroms.

#ReadMore  Tony Koyfman says VNS in good hands with Jeremy Merat

The recently-reactivated Kelly Williams and Don Trollano had 11 points each.

Import John Fields III led Columbian with 34 points and 20 rebounds in the loss. Ronald Tubid played second fiddle by providing 13 points, while Eric Camson chipped in 11 points on 14 shots along with seven caroms.

TNT will next face the NLEX Road Warriors this Sunday, June 3, 4:30 PM, still at the MoA Arena. Columbian, meanwhile, will look to bounce back versus the San Miguel Beermen on June 6, Wednesday, 7:00 PM at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.


The Scores:

TNT 123 – Rosario 21, Romeo 19, Cruz 17, Trollano 11, Williams 11, Smith 11, Carey 9, Garcia 7, Semerad 7, Pogoy 6, Golla 2, Reyes 1, Castro 1, Nuyles 0, Paredes 0, Saitanan 0.

Columbian 95 – Fields 34, Tubid 13, Camson 11, Lastimosa 9, Gabriel 6, Khobuntin 6, McCarthy 5, Cabrera 3, Ababou 3, Celda 2, Sara 2, King 1, Corpuz 0, Cahilig 0, Escoto 0.

Quarterscores: 36-17, 72-40, 98-65, 123-95.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

AdU

Adamson University snapped its five-game losing streak by putting on a defensive masterclass against University of the East, taking a 45-37 victory to revive...

AdU

Adamson University has shown it can compete with University of the Philippines in both its first and second-round encounters in the UAAP Season 87...

AdU

University of the Philippines secured its spot in the UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball Final Four by holding off Adamson University with a...

AdU

De La Salle University became the first team to secure a Final Four spot in UAAP Season 87 Collegiate Men’s Basketball, delivering a commanding...

Basketball

ANTIPOLO – A cloud of uncertainty is floating above San Miguel after losing Jericho Cruz late in its eventual defeat to Barangay Ginebra in...

Basketball

By: Justine Bacnis and Matthew Li After six seasons at the helm, Johnedel Cardel was unceremoniously let go by Terrafirma, marking the end of...

Basketball

June Mar Fajardo and EJ Anosike led the third-quarter assault as San Miguel got back at Ginebra, 131-121, to send their PBA Governors’ Cup...

AdU

Jorick Bautista and overtime thrillers are becoming a signature combination. His Far Eastern University edged Adamson University, 76-72, in a dramatic UAAP Season 87...

Advertisement