Terrence Jones drops 49, powers Castro-less TNT past Meralco

Terrence Jones was back to his old, lethal ways to power TNT KaTropa past sister teams Meralco Bolts, 104-91, to virtually seal a playoff spot in the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Saturday evening at SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Jones, who had a triple-double in their 104-96 conquest of Barangay Ginebra three nights ago, unloaded 49 points, including 18 straight points in the fourth quarter alone to lead the Texters’ pullaway en route to their sixth win.

Jones shot 53-percent from the field including 7-of-11 from deep. He also had 18 rebounds and four assists.

“Tremendous game again from Terrence,” lauded TNT head coach Bong Ravena of the former NBA cager. “Hopefully, every game maka-forty siya kasi it will be easy for us, pero at the same time the locals should step up also.”

Ryan Reyes produced 19 points — built on six triples — along with five rebounds, two assists, and a steal. Don Trollano supplied 16 points, nine boards, and two dimes, as Troy Rosario chimed in 11 markers on 50 percent-shooting.

The Katropa proved too much to handle for the Orangemen — who have now absorbed back-to-back losses — even if they did not have star guard Jayson Castro, as he wedded his long-time partner this afternoon.

“We’re just happy for the win. Kahit wala si Jayson and Tony [Semerad], the rest of the guys stepped up,” said Ravena.

Chris Newsome had a career-high 32 points — on top of five assists, three rebounds, and two steals — to lead Meralco, who have fallen to 3-4.

Jimmie Taylor, the Bolts’ replacement for Gani Lawal as the latter is still sidelined due to a hamstring injury, had 13 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field, along with 18 rebounds, two assists, two blocks, and a steal in 39 minutes.

The KaTropa will next face the Columbian Dyip on June 21, Friday, at Cuneta Astrodome, while the Orangemen will look end their fink versus Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on June 19, Wednesday, at SM Mall of Asia Arena.

The Scores:

TNT 104 – Jones 49, Reyes 19, Trollano 16, Rosario 11, Pogoy 4, Heruela 3, Taha 2, Golla 0, D. Semerad 0, Casino 0, Magat 0.

Meralco 91 – Newsome 32, Taylor 13, Amer 9, Almazan 9, Jackson 7, Salva 6, Hodge 5, Canaleta 5, Espinas 3, Quinto 2, Caram 0, Hugnatan 0, De Ocampo 0, Jamito 0.

Quarterscores: 24-22, 52-49, 81-68, 104-91.