After a forgettable debut, Terrence Romeo helped the TNT Katropa earn their second straight victory in the 2018 Commissioner’s Cup as they downed the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 106-98, Saturday night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“Basing on their first game, Phoenix played with a lot of intensity and energy, so that’s something that we prepared for,” said Texters’ head coach Nash Racela.
Romeo top-billed for the Katropa with 21 points alongside six assists and five rebounds. Backcourt partner and mentor Jayson Castro had 18 markers and seven dimes.
TNT actually had a slow start, 7-18, but quickly regained their bearings after that, setting up the tight affair for the majority of the first half that even had Phoenix leading 49-47 at the half.
The Katropa then went full throttle come the third chapter. An 11-2 scoring spree converted a 10-point lead to the game’s widest margin at 19, 81-62 with 56 seconds to go in the canto.
The Fuel Masters still fought until the end, and closed within eight multiple times in the final stretch, but free throws by Romeo shunned their hopes and helped TNT bag the win.
Import Jeremy Tyler finished with 17 points and 15 rebounds for TNT. Jericho Cruz supplied 14 markers, while Troy Rosario provided 13 points on 5-of-9 shooting and nine rebounds.
James White led Phoenix with 32 points and 11 rebounds. Matthew Wright was held to just 12 points on 4-of-14 shooting, but made up for it with seven assists and six rebounds.
“I think we were decent today defensively especially against Wright,” remarked Racela.
Both teams will play on May 6, Sunday, at the Mall of Asia Arena. Phoenix will play the Magnolia Hotshots at 4:30 PM, while TNT will battle rivals Barangay Ginebra San Miguel at 6:45 PM.
The Scores:
TNT 106 – Romeo 21, Castro 18, Tyler 17, Cruz 14, Rosario 13, Reyes 7, Golla 5, Trollano 5, Pogoy 3, Semerad 2, Carey 1, Saitanan 0, Paredes 0.
Phoenix 98 – White 32, Perkins 12, Wright 12, Jazul 7, Kramer 6, Mendoza 6, Alolino 6, Chan 5, Chua 4, Eriobu 2, Gamboa 2, Wilson 2, Intal 1, Dehesa 1, Hayes 0, Revilla 0.
Quarterscores: 26-26, 49-47, 83-67, 106-98.
