After losing for the first time in six games, the TNT KaTropa went back in winning form by denying GlobalPort’s last quarter surge, 122-120, on a thrilling Wednesday night game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In a game that saw TNT leading by as much as 22 points, Terrence Romeo and Michael Glover led a second half rampage by the Batang Pier, as they racked up 33 and 38 points respectively in the losing effort.
Withfour minutes left in regulation, GlobalPort trimmed the lead down to ten and continued to threaten KaTropa. On the other hand, Jayson Castro drilled five straight to put more cushion down the stretch.
However, GlobalPort was not done with their furious comeback, as they managed to tie things up at 120 behind baskets from Glover, Stanley Pringle and Jay Washington. On the game’s last possession, Castro muffed a three-point attempt, but Larry Fonacier secured an offensive rebound.
TNT called for a timeout that led to a two-man play between Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo, the latter drilling the game-winning jumper. On GlobalPort’s end, they had a chance with five seconds left but the team failed to make an attempt due to a bad pass committed by Pringle.
Aside from a stellar 37-point performance, Castro also had eight assists, 6-of-11 clip from downtown, and a steal. De Ocampo chipped in 17 markers and seven rebounds.
GlobalPort had more rebounds 52-46 but committed more turnovers compared to TNT at 18-13. TNT also fired 14 three-pointers that helped them in the close win, against nine made from GlobalPort.
“GlobalPort naman can really score lalo na pag Pringle and Romeo get going,” said a relieved coach Jong Uichico. “So we fell into a lull in offense. Good thing we made a big shot and made a stop.”
“Basta manalo any way, any how.”
The KaTropa (1st, 7-1) is now a full game ahead against Mahindra and Ginebra on the standings. They will have a showdown with San Miguel (4th, 5-2) in the next outing on Saturday in Batangas. For GlobalPort (9th, 3-5) snapped their three-game winning run and will look to go back in the winning track against Alaska (8th, 3-5) on September 7 at the Ynares Center, Antipolo.
The Scores:
TNT (122) – Castro 37, De Ocampo 17, Fonacier 14, R. Reyes 11, Madanly 10, Williams 8, Ammons 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Rosario 5, Carey 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
GlobalPort (120) – Glover 38, Romeo 33, Pringle 25, Washington 9, Taha 5, Salvacion 3, Semerad 3, Dehesa 2, Yeo 2, Mamaril 0.
Quarterscores: 35-18, 70-52, 96-86, 122-120
