Behind another monster outing by Terrence Jones, the TNT KaTropa further solidified their position in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, pulling away late to get past the Columbian Dyip, 109-102, for their fifth consecutive win, Friday evening at the Cuneta Astrodome, Pasay City.
The KaTropa were clinging to a slim four-point lead with 7:34 remaining in the fourth quarter. Jones’s three-point play then sparked a 12-2 scoring blitz to widen their lead to 94-80 with 4:57 left to play. TNT would never look back.
Jones had 39 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, and seven blocks in the win, which improved TNT’s record to 7-1.
“We started slow. Give credit to Columbian for giving us a hard time, and yung big man (Lester Prosper) nila, we had a hard time defending him. Good thing we came back in the second half,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena.
Jayson Castro finished with 22 points, six assists, five rebounds, and two steals for the KaTropa. Meanwhile, PBA Press Corps Player of the Week Roger Pogoy produced 16 markers, on top of six boards, a game-high four steals, and three dimes.
Lester Prosper had 37 points, 20 rebounds, an assist, and a block to lead Columbian, who have fallen to 1-5.
Rookie CJ Perez flirted with a triple-double, churning out 22 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists as well as collecting two steals and a block. Fellow neophyte JP Calvo chimed in 16 markers, six caroms, and four dimes.
Both TNT and Columbian will take turns facing Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The Dyip will go first this Sunday, June 23, in Batangas City. Meanwhile, the KaTropa will have to wait a bit longer as their turn is on July 3 at SMART Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
TNT 109 – Jones 39, Castro 22, Pogoy 16, Rosario 8, Reyes 8, Trollano 5, Taha 4, T. Semerad 3, D. Semerad 2, Heruela 2, Carey 0.
Columbian 102 – Prosper 37, Perez 22, Calvo 15, Corpuz 8, McCarthy 5, Celda 5, Khobuntin 4, Cahilig 4, Agovida 0, Reyes 0, Camson 0.
Quarterscores: 22-27, 51-50, 73-71, 109-102
