And then there were four.
The TNT KaTropa completed the 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup Final Four with an offensive-filled duel against the eight seed Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters, 136-124 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo Saturday evening.
The spotlight for the whole game was Jayson Castro’s 42-point game, two points shy from tying a career-high, that dictated TNT’s offense from the get go. He shot a stellar 14/26 from the floor, to go along with 5 three-pointers and flirted with a triple-double with eight assists and nine rebounds.
An overwhelming first half exchange by the two teams yielded a combined 16-made triples that ended in a 70-67 tilt in favor of KaTropa. Leading Best Player of the Conference candidate Jayson Castro was unconsious for the entire game, scoring already 29 markers at the half to keep the fiesty Fuel Masters team at bay.
For the first half of the third period, Phoenix managed to keep in step against TNT, but lost grip as KaTropa found their stride heading into the final frame. TNT broke an 83-all deadlock with 4:50 left in the third with a 24-10 closeout, fueled by a balanced efforts by KaTropa’s locals.
The floodgates finally opened in the final period that proved that TNT was just way ahead of Phoenix in terms of their firepower. Three minutes into the canto, the TNT opened up a 121-100 lead that was sufficient enough to cruise their way to the semis.
“Iniisip ko lang yung defensive plan sa akin ng Phoenix kasi sa ball kasi sa mga ball screens iba iba ginagawa so binabasa ko lang,” said Castro about his unfazed self during his brief stretches when subbed out.
He added that they are one step closer towards their goal and got ovet the hump of reaching the final four, wherein they failed to enter for a while in the league.
“Yun yung challenge sa amin ng management sa conference na to na makabalik kami sa semis,” he said.
Phelps led the Fuel Masters with 42 points and 17 rebounds. Asian reinforcement Lee Gwan Hee added 24 markers.
TNT enters the final four for the first time this PBA Season and will face the Meralco Bolts up next. Their best-of-five semis affair will begin on Tuesday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
TNT (136) – Castro 42, Madanly 17, De Ocampo 16, Reyes 16, Fonacier 13, Williams 12, Rosales 9, Ammons 7, Rosario 4, Rosser 0, Tautuaa 0.
Phoenix (124) – Phelps 39, Lee 24, Baguio 10, J. Wilson 10, Enciso 9, Lanete 9, Borboran 7, Urbiztondo 5, Hayes 4, Torres 3, Cruz 2, Intal 2, Buenafe 0, Pennisi 0, Wilson W. 0.
Quarterscores: 32-34, 70-67, 107-93, 136-124,
