Tropang TNT comes from behind late to steal first win versus Rain or Shine

In arguably the closest game of the 2016 PBA Oppo Governor’s Cup so far, the Tropang TNT used an 11-0 surge to close out a 101-98 squeaker over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to nab their first win held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

Talk ‘N Text led by as much as 13, but saw this cushion evaporate in the two middle quarters. Rain or Shine limited the Texters to a quiet 33-point production in the second and third quarter that powered the Painters to a ten-point lead heading into the final frame.

In what seemed a reversal of performance for the two teams, Rain or Shine extended the lead to 90-76 at one point and maintained an eight-point cushion with four minutes left. However, the Texters rallied through well-balanced contributions. The team tied the game at 98 before Jayson Castro delivered the go-ahead triple. In their last possession, the Elasto Painters failed to convert despite getting a deliberate foul on Gabe Norwood, in addition to a foiled inbound play afterward.

The Elasto Painters had more rebounds, 61-49, which alarmed Coach Jong Uichico, but he eventually commended his troops for offsetting it with their late hustle. “(Mario Little) gives us a different dimension to our game, but double effort yung locals. When you play Rain or Shine, we would like to defend decently because we know they can manufacture points. We try to defend pero kailangan maka-score talaga kami.”

TNT had more fastbreak points, 23-19, which were addressed by Jayson Castro after the game. “Mahirap kasi wala yung iba(injured players) then may foul trouble pa samin. Ang maganda samin kasi gusto namin tumakbo kaya ginawa naming advantage yun.”

Mario Little had 18 points on his blue-and-yellow debut, in addition to 11 rebounds and three assists to aid Castro’s outing. For Rain or Shine, five players tallied double-figures, led by Dior Lowhorn’s 20 markers and 10 boards. JR Quinahan chipped 16.

Tropang TNT will next face the Meralco Bolts (2-0), while Rain or Shine look to bounce back against the Phoenix Fuel Masters (0-2). Both games will be played at 3pm and 5:15 pm at the Big Dome on Saturday.

The Scores:

Tropang TNT (101) – Castro 19, Little 18, Madanly 17, Tautuaa 14, De Ocampo 11, Seigle 9, Reyes R. 7, Carey 3, Rosales 3, Ababou 0, Fonacier 0.

Rain or Shine (98) – Lowhorn 20, Quinahan 16, Lee 13, Cruz 12, Almazan 11, Ahanmisi 9, Trollano 9, Belga 4, Chan 2, Norwood 2, Ponferada 0.

Quarterscores: 31-21, 59-56, 74-85, 101-98