Connect with us

Hi, what are you looking for?

Tiebreaker Times
Photo by PBA Images

Basketball

PBA: Mikey Williams continues hot run as TNT drops Ginebra to ninth


TNT routed reigning champ Barangay Ginebra in a rematch of last year’s finalists, 88-67, in the 2021 Honda PBA Philippine Cup Sunday evening at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Mikey Williams continued his scoring outburst as he finished with a game-high 27 points, including 15 in the first half that saw the Tropang Giga seize control in the second quarter on the way to their eighth win in nine games.

The 29-year-old, who erupted for 36 on a 65-percent clip versus NLEX last Friday, shot 55-percent. He also had four rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

“In our board before the game, malaki ang sinulat namin, ‘BETTER.’ We just wanted to make sure that we were better in this game than last game,” said head coach Chot Reyes. “Hopefully we find ways to continue getting better.”

Jayson Castro was back to his usual ways as he contributed 14 points in the win. He was scoreless versus the Road Warriors, days after chiming in just one point in their harsh defeat in the hands of San Miguel Beer.

He made 10 of his points in the second period, where he went a perfect 4-of-4 from the floor as he led the Tropa’s rally that saw them turn a slim two-point lead to 32-20 with 6:44 to go. TNT scored 25 in the frame alone.

The Barangay tried to chip away the deficit in the second half, but Castro helped out in keeping them at bay. And his teammates picked it up from there as their lead swelled to as big as 24, 82-58, with 6:16 left in the game.

#ReadMore  Camacho reminds Robinson of himself: 'We waited for the opportunity'

“People are saying last game masama ang laro ni Jayson because he didn’t score but if you look at the other statistics and also his plus-minus when he was in, he was hugely positive,” said Reyes of his long-time guard.

“I think that speaks a lot about his willingness to sacrifice. Kaya that’s a great example sa ibang players sa team,” he added.

Troy Rosario also had 14 points, as Roger Pogoy added 13 markers and eight rebounds in the win that kept TNT atop the standings at 8-1.

“We don’t look at it that way,” said Reyes on the possibilities of being the top team could bring. “We want to make sure to keep in focus what’s in front of us.

“And as you know, every game, what’s in front of us, we all have to pass the test, the antigen test. Sa amin, yun ang unang pinaka-importante. Focus now on the task at hand which is the game at hand. We’re not looking too far ahead.”

Meanwhile, Japeth Aguilar had 18 points and six rebounds to lead Ginebra, who have fallen to ninth in the standings with a 3-5 record.

Christian Standhardinger had 14 points and nine rebounds. Scottie Thompson made 13 points, seven boards, and four assists, as reigning BPC Stanley Pringle supplied 12 markers, six caroms, and five dimes.

The loss saw LA Tenorio miss all of his 13 shots from the field as he went scoreless in 37 minutes. But he had five rebounds and five assists.

#ReadMore  Adamson-PH crushes HK, India, rises to third in Uni Softball Asia Cup

The Scores:

TNT 88 – M. Williams 27, Rosario 14, Castro 14, Pogoy 13, K. Williams 7, Montalbo 5, Marcelo 4, Erram 2, Exciminiano 2, Reyes 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.

Ginebra 67 – J. Aguilar 18, Standhardinger 14, Thompson 13, Pringle 12, Mariano 6, Ayaay 2, Caperal 2, Tenorio 0, Dillinger 0, Salado 0, Tolentino 0, Enriquez 0, R. Aguilar 0, Devance 0.

Quarterscores: 20-16, 45-32, 62-52, 88-67.

Written By

Oftentimes on the sidelines. Forever a student of the game. Morayta-bred.


You May Also Like

Basketball

Roger Pogoy got to familiarize himself with the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay ahead of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals...

Basketball

It may no longer be just about making the necessary adjustments for head coach Tim Cone and the rest of Barangay Ginebra after losing...

Basketball

TNT leaned on its hot shooting from beyond the arc early to beat Barangay Ginebra, 95-89, and gain the head start in the PBA...

ADMU

Eerily similar to the journey of women’s basketball athletes in the Philippines, Sabrina Ionescu’s rise to stardom in the WNBA and across the globe...

Basketball

To say that their careers are forever intertwined may sound cliche, but that’s basically been the reality Tim Cone and Chot Reyes live in....

Basketball

Stephen Holt may find himself guarding another Best Player of the Conference candidate when the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals gets rolling. Last...

Basketball

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson won’t hesitate to break his fast again if need be, now that TNT guns for gold in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s...

Basketball

Jamie Malonzo is itching to play in the PBA Finals again after sitting helplessly on the sidelines during Barangay Ginebra’s previous trip to the...

Advertisement