TNT KaTropa came back from as many as 23 points down to frustrate the NorthPort Batang Pier, 104-102, and deal the latter their sixth straight loss in the 2018 Governors’ Cup, Sunday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters have improved to 4-4, while the Batang Pier are now 0-6.
Terrence Romeo and Marqus Blakely were at the forefront of TNT’s attack. The three-time scoring champion had 25 points and eight assists, while the former Best Import produced 23 markers, 11 rebounds, and four dimes.
The duo conspired in the KaTropa’s comeback in the fourth quarter. From an 18-point deficit, Romeo and Blakely spearheaded a 25-3 scoring blitz to give their team a 102-98 advantage with just 18.9 seconds remaining.
And when the Batang Pier were suddenly able to tie the game up at 102-all after Sean Anthony’s twin freebies and Paolo Taha’s tip-in, Blakely saved the day for the Texters, as he trickled in a contested lay-up with 2.4 ticks left.
Blakely poured 15 of his output in the final frame alone.
“Wala namang sikreto. We stayed working hard. Importante sa amin is yung energy, na-sustain namin all throughout the game. We just played and worked hard,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena, who’s now 2-0 as head coach.
“Ang inemphasize namin is defense,” he added, as the Texters’ pressing defense forced the Batang Pier to 23 errors.
Troy Rosario had 12 points spiked by three triples, while Roger Pogoy made 10 points and nine rebounds for the KaTropa, who are still missing the services of ace guard Jayson Castro due to bone spurs in his foot.
Rashad Woods led the Batang Pier with 19 points and 11 rebounds in a losing effort.
Stanley Pringle was just an assist shy of a triple-double as he produced 18 points, 12 rebounds, and nine dimes. Mo Tautuaa supplied 18 markers as well alongside 14 rebounds, while the foul-plagued Sean Anthony had 15.
TNT will have a long break before facing rivals San Miguel Beermen on October 20, Saturday, in Calasiao, Pangasinan, while NorthPort will take on the still-winless Columbian Dyip on Saturday, October 6, at Ynares Center, Antipolo.
The Scores
TNT 104 – Romeo 25, Blakely 23, Rosario 12, Cruz 11, Pogoy 10, Trollano 7, Garcia 6, Reyes 5, Williams 3, Carey 2.
NorthPort 102 – Woods 19, Pringle 18, Tautuaa 18, Grey 18, Anthony 15, Javelona 9, Taha 4, Guinto 1, Elorde 0, Fortuna 0, Arana 0, Espinas 0.
Quarterscores: 21-32, 43-64, 71-87, 104-102.
