TNT takes dominating win over SMB in Batangas

A one-sided second half went entirely the way of league-leading TNT KaTropa in a heavyweight collision versus the defending Governor’s Cup champs San Miguel Beermen, 105-86 Saturday evening in the last out of town game of the PBA season at the Batangas City Coliseum.

After a 47-45 advantage after the first two quarters, a laser-sharp focused TNT squad showed up in a blistering second half and outscored the Beermen by 18. More importantly, a well-spread third quarter from the entire team opened the floodgates against SMB.

Ranidel De Ocampo led TNT in scoring with 18 points on 7-of-10 shooting from the floor, five rebounds and one steal. Jayson Castro added a whopping double-double with 16 markers, 13 assists and only two turnovers in 32 minutes of action.

From the get go, TNT made it rain from beyond-the-arc, scattering 13 triples out of their 32 attempts to keep the Beermen at bay. KaTropa led by as much as 29 in the blowout during the fourth period as they left no crack of hope for any SMB fightback. On the other hand, San Miguel struggled with 21 turnovers that led to 20 points in KaTropa’ favor.

June Mar Fajardo had 20 points for the Beermen, who played their second straight outing without main import Arizona Reid.

San Miguel played with Michael Singletary and paraded new asian import Mahmoud Abdeen. The two reinforcements combined for 27 points in the losing effort.

KaTropa (1st, 8-1) will have a week-long break before facing the Star Hotshots (11t, 1-7) in their next assignment at the Mall of Asia Arena on September 11. For San Miguel (T-3rd, 6-3), they try to on a top four spot as it battle the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (7th, 4-4) on September 10 also at MoA.

The Scores:

TNT (105) – De Ocampo 18, Castro 16, Madanly 15, Rosario 13, Ammons 11, Fonacier 9, Reyes R. 8, Williams 5, Carey 4, Tautuaa 3, Rosser 2, Rosales 1, Ababou 0, Nuyles 0.

San Miguel (85) – Fajardo 20, Singletary 18, Cabagnot 17, Santos 10, Abdeen 9, Tubid 7, Espinas 2, Lassiter 2, Arana 0, David 0, De Ocampo 0, Ross 0.

Quarterscores: 28-20, 47-45, 80-64, 105-85