GLOBALPORT’S Terrence Romeo appeals for a foul as he loses possession off TNT’s Harvey Carey in last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
THE TNT Tropang Texters can be a very destructive force when everything is clicking.
Digging deep into their offensive arsenal, the Texters stopped the hot-streaking GlobalPort Batang Pier dead on their tracks with a 107-96 decision last night in the Smart Bro-Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro and rookie Troy Rosario set the pace for TNT, attacking the lanes with impunity in the middle quarters that opened up a 14-point gap after three periods which the Batang Pier failed to overcome.
Gunning for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals, the Texters moved closer to that direction with their sixth victory in 10 games. They would achieve that goal if they win against the Barangay Ginebra Kings tomorrow and the Barako Bull Energy lose to the Alaska Aces in last night’s second game.
“After tomorrow’s game, we’ll see where we are,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico. “For now, we just need to win this game to get a better chance at that twice-to-beat (bonus).”
The Texters, just like the Batang Pier, the Gin Kings and the Energy, stood behind conference leaders San Miguel Beer (9-2), Rain Or Shine (8-2) and Alaska (8-2), which are all in contention for automatic berths in the semifinals.
PJ Simon had five threes and finished with 26 points in the other game as the Star Hotshots defeated the Blackwater Elite, 102-89, to secure a quarterfinal berth with their fourth win in 11 games.
The Elite, who fought tooth and nail behind Carlo Lastimosa and rookie Art Dela Cruz, will attempt to seize the last quarterfinal spot Sunday against the Mahindra Enforcers, whom they tied at 2-8.
Conspiring with Castro and Rosario, Harvey Carey, Aaron Aban and Danny Seigle helped weather the Batang Pier’s multiple rallies.
Terrence Romeo scored 18 of his 24 points in the second half and strike partner Stanley Pringle shot the same output. But they failed to stretch the Batang Pier’s victory run to five games. GlobalPort is already assured of a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals even before they fell to 7-4.
The scores:
First Game
TNT 107—Castro 25, Rosario 19, Aban 9, Carey 9, Fonacier 9, Seigle 9, Williams 7, Rosser 6, Reyes R. 6, Reyes J. 5, Miranda 3, Rodriguez 0.
GLOBALPORT 96—Pringle 24, Romeo 24, Yeo 14, Semerad 9, Jensen 8, Mamaril 6, Kramer 5, Maierhofer 4, Washington 2, Isip 0, Paniamogan 0, Pena 0, Uyloan 0, Sumang 0.
Quarters: 15-22, 53-44, 83-69, 107-96
Second Game
STAR 102—Simon 26, Maliksi 13, Pingris 12, Barroca 11, Mallari 11, Taha 8, Yap 6, Melton 4, Sangalang 4, Reavis 3, Cruz 2, Torres 2.
BLACKWATER 89—Lastimosa 18, Dela Cruz 17, Gamalinda 11, Cortez 10, Erram 10, Cervantes 9, Golla 8, Reyes 6, Ballesteros 0, Canada 0, Melano 0.
Quarters: 25-25, 52-42, 78-72, 102-89