Troy Rosario returned triumphantly for TNT, helping the KaTropa win their second straight game in the 2019 PBA Philippine Cup at the expense of the San Miguel Beermen, 104-93, Sunday night at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Wearing a black plastic mask to protect his recovering nose, Rosario finished the match with 22 points — 12 in the first half alone — spiked by six three-pointers along with five rebounds, an assist, and a block in over 28 minutes.
The 6-foot-7 forward out of NU was responsible in helping his TNT pull away. His three-pointer with around 9:38 remainubg in the final frame gave the KaTropa an 88-78 cushion, which they would hold on to the rest of the way.
“Si Troy, naka-rest siya, nakapag-pahinga, pakundisyon. At maybe kailangan niya rin to prove himself na makalaro siya ng ganoon. It’s been a while so he stepped up sa game. Buti naman nanalo,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena.
“He played really well on both ends din, offense he made his shots, lalo na yung mga three-points, very important shots,” he added.
Jayson Castro though was the KaTropa’s leader with 24 points on a perfect 9-of-9 from two-pointers along with 11 assists and five rebounds. Castro spearheaded TNT’s 11-2 run that gave them a 104-89 lead to finish off the Beermen.
Ryan Reyes chimed in 14 markers spiked by three triples.
“There’s nothing special. Ano lang namin is to double effort kami. We played really, really hard. We really, really want this game so bad. Siyempre kailangan din namin i-prove na kaya din namin sila,” said Ravena on the victory.
“Thankful for the win, and ‘yun lang. Wala naman, nothing to celebrate. Next game na naman ulit,” he furthered.
Christian Standhardinger led the Beermen with 24 points and 10 rebounds. Von Pessumal produced a career-high 23 points on six triples, while reigning five-time MVP June Mar Fajardo tallied 22 points and and five boards.
Chris Ross added 11 points, 15 assists, seven rebounds, two steals, and a block.
TNT will next face sister team Meralco Bolts on Wednesday, January 30 at the Cuneta Astrodome, while San Miguel will look to redeem itself versus the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on Friday, February 1 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
The Scores:
TNT 104 – Castro 24, Rosario 22, Reyes 14, Trollano 13, Williams 11, Pogoy 7, Heruela 5, Taha 4, Miranda 2, Carey 2, Golla 0, Semerad 0.
San Miguel 93 – Standhardinger 24, Pessumal 23, Fajardo 22, Ross 11, Lassiter 11, Santos 2, Tubid 0, Nabong 0, Zamar 0.
Quarterscores: 25-27, 51-51, 82-76, 104-93.
