TNT escapes SMB, ties series at one apiece
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TNT pulled off a huge escape act, coming away with an 87-85 Game 2 victory over San Miguel to even their 2017 PBA Philippine Cup semifinals series at one apiece Friday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Jayson Castro took charge for the KaTropa, stabilizing their end as they survived the Beermen’s furious rally late.
The spitfire guard from Pampanga tallied a near triple-double of 10 points, 11 assists, and seven rebounds.
“We expected this kind of a ballgame, not like Game 1 that we were down big. We conditioned that this is going to be a close game and we knew that we had to gut it out until the end,” said coach Nash Racela.
Troy Rosario came off the bench and topped TNT with 14 markers, five boards, and three assists, while Ranidel de Ocampo tallied a 13 points and 13 rebounds in the win.
Mo Tautuaa also had 12 markers and nine boards, while Roger Pogoy got 11 points and nine rebounds as TNT snapped San Miguel’s 11-game winning run.
The KaTropa, which led by 11 points in the second quarter, trailed by 82-80 with 2:36 remaining, thanks to the June Mar Fajardo-led 11-1 charge by the Beermen.
Castro, though, had other plans, leading TNT to a game-clinching comeback including a huge assist to De Ocampo to give them the 87-82 lead.
Alex Cabagnot still tried to pull the Beermen within two, 87-85, with three freebies, but San Miguel just couldn’t convert and failed to make a shot in the last 6.2 seconds.
Fajardo dropped 10 of his 25 points in the fourth frame, together with 11 rebounds and seven blocks.
Cabagnot had 24 markers and five boards, as the Beermen shot themselves on the foot with a paltry 7-of-26 clip from three.
Game 3 is on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Scores:
TNT 87 – Rosario 14, De Ocampo 13, Tautuaa 12, Pogoy 11, Castro 10, Fonacier 10, Williams 9, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Rosales 3, Golla 0, Reyes 0, Seigle 0.
SAN MIGUEL 85 – Fajardo 25, Cabagnot 24, Santos 9, Espinas 8, Lassiter 8, Agovida 7, Ross 4, De Ocampo 0, Garcia 0, Reyes 0, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 20-15, 42-33, 65-59, 87-85.
