Jayson Castro lamented the TNT KaTropa’s flat start in Game Two of their 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal clash versus the Meralco Bolts on Tuesday evening, which eventually led to a head-shaking result in the end.
“Sobrang flat namin nung start namin,” said the veteran floor general moments after the 94-114 loss.
The KaTropa actually had the lead at first, 3-2, after a KJ McDaniels triple, but that was their only lead in the game. The Bolts then attacked behind two-time Best Import Allen Durham and Baser Amer for the advantage.
Meralco unloaded 16 straight points for an 18-3 lead, starting a one-sided affair in its favor the rest of the way that saw it enjoy an advantage as many as 35 points.
“Wala, lahat ng tira na ata nila pumapasok,” said Castro as Meralco shot 45-percent from the floor.
TNT had itself a rough night. It shot just 31-percent from the field, and its assist-to-turnover ratio was 14:17. Moreover, it got out-rebounded badly by its sister team, 61-43.
Castro himself struggled as well. He only had seven points, and all that came from the free-throw line. He missed all of the 10 shots he took from the field in the 26 minutes and 20 seconds he played.
“May something na ginawa sila na hindi kami prepared. And then, na-out-hustle, out-effort. Lahat na siguro.”
Game Three is on Thursday still at the Big Dome. And for TNT to bounce back and regain the series lead, Castro said that the Texters should match the energy of the Orangemen.
“Siguro i-match lang namin ‘yung energy nila, and then we have a big chance to win that game.”
