CUBAO, PHILIPPINES – TNT KaTropa guard Jayson Castro drives to the basket against NLEX guard Jonas Villanueva (11) in their PBA Governors’ Cup game on Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: Peter Baltazar / Sports On Air, Eagle News)
By Diego de la Paz
CUBAO, Philippines (Eagle News) – TNT KaTropa mounted a fourth quarter comeback to continue the endgame frustration for NLEX, putting up a 101-95 victory in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup action on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro put up 23 points with eight assists and seven rebounds – including 11 points in the final 12 minutes – to keep the KaTropa’s unblemished record up, while sending the Road Warriors (1-3) skidding for the third consecutive time.
Troy Rosario also had 20 points with 11 rebounds and two blocks, while import Mario Little added 18 points and nine rebounds for TNT.
NLEX started its third quarter strong, led by five straight points from Sean Anthony to create some distance. But TNT decided to make its move early in the final period, with Mike Madanly closing the gap on a three-pointer to knot the game at 76-all with nine minutes left.
Castro then followed through, punching in eight of TNT’s 10 points to give them a slim 86-84 advantage. With the game in the balance, rookie big man Troy Rosario and Ryan Reyes capitalized on NLEX’s miscues in the last two minutes and scored back-to-back buckets to put the KaTropa ahead, 95-91 with 51.1 seconds left.
Though Asi Taulava sliced TNT’s lead by half on a pair of free throws, it was Castro’s connection to Little on a short corner trey with 23.1 seconds left to seal the deal.
“We are just winning close games, just hanging in there, don’t give up and just keep playing. As long as we play hard, keep our poise and discipline on the court, we get to slip past with the win,” said TNT head coach Jong Uichico.
NLEX import Henry Walker dropped 26 points and 13 rebounds on TNT, but was held to just four points in the pivotal fourth quarter mainly due to the stifling defense from Little and the rest of the KaTropa.
BOX SCORES:
TNT 101 – Castro 23, Rosario 20, Little 18, Madanly 10, Rosales 8, Williams 7, De Ocampo 6, R. Reyes 5, Seigle 2, Tautuaa 2, Nuyles 0, Carey 0.
NLEX 95 – Walker 26, Taulava 14, Anthony 12, Villanueva J. 12, Baracael 10, Khobuntin 9, Akl 7, Arboleda 3, Villanueva E. 2, Lanete 0, Monfort 0, Reyes 0.
Quarters: 18-21, 44-48, 65-71, 101-95
