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Troy Rosario and the TNT KaTropa thwart Calvin Abueva and the Alaska Aces’ bid for a fourth straight victory. —Sherwin Vardeleon

Nash Racela feels that his TNT KaTropa crew has started embracing the new system he has instilled since taking over, with the Texters showing vast improvement in taking down Alaska, 109-100, in a PBA Philippine Cup game last night at a dilapidated Philsports Arena in Pasig.

It was the second straight victory in a 4-2 card for the Texters, and with the team to go on a much-needed break for the holidays, Racela is more worried than relieved even if his hard-working crew can get the chance to cool their heels for a few days.

“Our fear, going to a long break, is that we might lose the [new] mindset,” Racela said after getting 26 points from Troy Rosario and twin digits from three others in dealing the Aces their first loss in the last four games for 3-3.

Meanwhile, Rain or Shine dealt its former coach a fifth straight defeat after pulling off a 107-97 victory over NLEX in the nightcap.

The Elasto Painters, whom Yeng Guiao led to two championships in a six-year watch, improved to 4-2, tying the Texters for second spot. The Road Warriors dropped to 1-5.

Jason Castro came off the bench and tossed in 16 points in just 26 minutes and the Texters broke away in the second period after Rosario hit three straight triples that had TNT scooting to a 54-38 lead.

“We always look at the big picture and that is [making] day-to-day improvements,” Racela said, when told they were tied for second spot. “If that puts us in the middle of the standings or the top of the standings, we will accept that. What’s important is that we focus on the process.”

SCORES

TNT 109 – ALASKA 100

TNT 109—Rosario 26, Castro 16, Fonacier 16, De Ocampo 10, Tautuaa 9, Rosser 9,  Williams 8, Reyes 6, Rosales 6, Carey 3, Pogoy 0, Tamsi 0, Golla 0.

ALASKA 100—Abueva 18, Manuel 16, Racal 14, Banchero 12, Dela Cruz 8, Casio 7, Exciminiano 6, Jazul 6, Mendoza 5, Cruz 3, Hontiveros 3, Pascual 2.

Quarters: 31-22, 54-38, 77-70, 109-100

RAIN OR SHINE 107 – NLEX97

RAIN OR SHINE 107—Ponferada 22, Cruz 19, Chan 16, Yap 13, Norwood 11, Ahanmisi 7, Washington 7, Trollano 6, Belga 4, Matias 2, Tolomia 0, Ibanes 0, Maiquez 0.

NLEX  97—Anthony 22, Rios 20, Alas 17, Villanueva 9, Baracael 7, Khobuntin 6, Taulava 5, Monfort 5, Camson 4, Lastimosa 2, Guinto 0.

Quarters: 21-28, 48-58, 80-85, 107-97.