In what seemed a tightly-contested outing during the halftime break, TNT KaTropa stepped it up in the second half en route to their sixth straight win, 124-117, over the Phoenix Petroleum Fuel Masters at the Ynares Center in Antipolo, Friday afternoon.
Michael Madanly finished with 30 points on 8-of-13 shooting from beyond-the-arc, two steals, and a block.
“We are working so hard, and my job is really just to keep shooting the ball. Tonight I was blessed,” said Madanly.
“My teammates helped me found those spots. I’m learning every game and we just keep on pushing. It’s really one game at a time.”
The 52-all deadlock during intermission was smashed through nine triples by the top-seeded Governor’s Cup team in the third frame. Michael Madanly accounted for three of those makes from downtown, which blew the game wide open.
A 13-2 closeout to the third frame served to be TNT’s knockout blow, as the Fuel Masters failed to execute well off a couple of turnovers during the stretch. In a blink of an eye, the KaTropa found themselves up by a comfortable 20-point gap heading into the final quarter.
TNT scattered 19 triples compared to Phoenix’s 11. They also out-rebounded and had more assists compared to Phoenix at 49-4
“Even before the season started we wanted to keep the focus on a high level,” said coach Jong Uichico regarding their hot start to the conference.
The other KaTropa import, Mychal Ammons, contributed 22 points and 18 boards in the win, while Ranidel De Ocampo poured 17 markers.
An offense-filled game for TNT let them shrug off a 49-point effort from Phoenix import Eugene Phelps. Phelps was a one-man show for Phoenix, as he added 18 boards and four assists in his huge statline despite the loss. Simon Enciso chipped in 17 points and three dimes for Phoenix.
TNT KaTropa (6-0) look to be continue their unblemished streak against the Mahindra Enforcers (4-2), while Phoenix (2-4) will next face the NLEX Road Warriors (3-3). Both games will be played next Friday at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
Tropang TNT (124) – Madanly 30, Ammons 22, De Ocampo 17, Rosales 13, Castro 11, Reyes 7, Fonacier 6, Rosario 5, Tautuaa 5, Williams 3, Carey 3, Nuyles 2, Ababou 0
Phoenix (117) – Phelps 49, Enciso 17, Hee 15, Buenafe 8, Wilson J. 6, Wilson W. 5, Baguio 5, Lanete 4, Cruz 3, Caperal 3, Miranda 2, Borboran 0, Pennisi 0, Urbiztondo 0, Torres 0
Quarterscores: 29-24, 52-52, 88-68, 124-117
