The TNT KaTropa took advantage of Joel Wright’s exit to beat the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 103-91, to gain a share of leadership in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup Saturday evening at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Wright left the game prematurely after incurring a flagrant foul penalty one with 3:50 left in the game, as he intentionally tripped KaTropa forward Troy Rosario following a rebound battle.
Wright seemed to have thought he got hit in the face by Rosario but replays showed it was the ball that struck him.
Rosario then split his charities to widen TNT’s lead to seven, 93-86, and that trip to the line allowed him to get enough rhythm as he knocked down a trey to give his side a 96-86 lead with 3:30 left.
KJ McDaniels went on and applied the finishing touches as TNT coasted to the 12-point win that hiked its card to 2-0.
“We just continued to keep working hard, get as much wins as we can,” said coach Bong Ravena. “Kailangan samantalahin namin. Upcoming games namin pahirap pa nang pahirap ‘yan.”
Import McDaniels finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds, and five assists to power the KaTropa, who have joined sister team NLEX Road Warriors (2-0) on top of the team standings.
Rosario fell just a rebound short of a double-double as he made 16 points and nine boards. Jayson Castro had 15 points and seven dimes as Don Trollano and Roger Pogoy had 12 markers each.
Wright was still Rain or Shine’s topscorer despite the early exit with 20 points, on top of eight caroms and three assists.
Javee Mocon produced 19 points and seven rebounds while James Yap supplied 18 markers and seven caroms as well in the loss that dropped the Elasto Painters to 1-2.
TNT will next battle Phoenix Pulse (1-2) on October 2, Wednesday, still at the Big Dome, while Rain or Shine will take on defending champs Magnolia (1-1) on October 4, Friday, at Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
TNT (103) — McDaniels 37, Rosario 16, Castro 15, Trollano 12, Pogoy 12, De Leon 8, Vosotros 3, Magat 0, Semerad D. 0, Washington 0.
Rain or Shine (91) — Wright 20, Mocon 19, Yap 18, Daquioag 9, Rosales 5, Ponferada 5, Norwood 4, Exciminiano 4, Borboran 2, Belga 0.
Quarterscores: 27-21, 49-44, 81-72, 103-91.
