TNT escaped the hands of defeat and snuck past the NorthPort Batang Pier, 103-100, to extend their unbeaten run to five games in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup, Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome.
Troy Rosario buried a three-pointer from the right corner with 1:06 left to play to give the KaTropa the 101-100 lead. The rest of the team then stepped up on defense to seal the victory.
Rosario’s big shot saved the Texters, who actually held a 24-11 lead early. They then lost control of the game, going down by nine points, 67-79, with 10:37 remaining in the final quarter.
Rosario poured 17 points in the fourth alone, before finishing with 22 points on 57.1-percent shooting from the field.
“Another tough game for us. NorthPort gave us a really tough [game],” said coach Bong Ravena.
KJ McDaniels led the KaTropa with 30 points, 18 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and a block. Roger Pogoy had 17 points, while Jayson Castro and Don Trollano added 10 markers apiece.
Garvo Lanete had 23 points to lead NorthPort, who absorbed their fourth straight loss and fell to 1-4.
Import Mychal Ammons made 14 points, 13 rebounds, and four assists. Robert Bolick had 12 points, six boards, and four dimes, while Kevin Ferrer and Paolo Taha had 11 and 10 markers, respectively.
Both teams will play again on Saturday, October 12, at SMART Araneta Coliseum. NorthPort will battle the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters (1-4) at 4:30 p.m. before TNT take on the Meralco Bolts (3-1) at 6:45 p.m.
The Scores:
TNT (103) – McDaniels 30, Rosario 22, Pogoy 17, Trollano 10, Castro 10, Reyes 6, Heruela 2, Carey 2, De Leon 2, Magat 2, Vosotros 0.
NorthPort (100) – Lanete 23, Ammons 14, Bolick 12, Ferrer 11, Taha 10, Anthony 8, Mercado 6, Tautuaa 4, Cruz 4, King 3, Escoto 3, Elorde 2.
Quarterscores: 24-18, 46-38, 65-70, 103-100
