JASON Castro (right) of TNT shakes off the defense of Blackwater’s Reil Cervantes during last night’s game. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
An undermanned Tropang TNT side got 22 points from Jason Castro and 20 from the returning Ranidel de Ocampo to open defense of its Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup title with a 108-102 nipping of Blackwater Wednesday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With their import, Ivan Johnson, serving out a one-game suspension and super rookie Troy Rosario out with an injury, the Texters leaned on the two national team stars all night to deny the Elite and put to naught Carlo Lastimosa’s career-game.
“It’s good that we survived that game without an import,” TNT coach Jong Uichico said. “It’s a credit to the (local) players who fought hard. Hopefully, we keep getting better.”
Arinze Onuaku, less than 24 hours after flying in and even without the benefit of a single practice with the team, scored 25 points and grabbed 22 rebounds and led Meralco to a 90-86 nipping of Star in the nightcap.
Coming in as a late replacement for the injured Malcolm Thomas, the Bolts’ original pick, Onuaku practically cemented his spot in the roster with his dominant debut as Meralco got off to a rousing start.
Castro scored 19 of his total in the first half where the Texters established control with several double digit leads, but hit a big triple with under a minute left that practically sealed the win, 106-102.
De Ocampo, who sat out the entire Philippine Cup because of a back injury fired 11 points in the final half, while stealing off rookie Art dela Cruz that led to a Larry Fonacier layup for the final score.
Lastimosa finished with 39 points, marking not only his career-high but also the first time since Allan Caidic’s 43 points in the 1992 Reinforced Conference for Presto that a local player has scored as big in the first game of an import-laced tournament.
The scores:
First Game
TROPANG TNT 108—Castro 22, De Ocampo 20, Reyes R.16, Tautuaa 16, Williams 9, Rosser 8, Fonacier 7, Carey 6, Reyes J. 4, Ababou 0, Aban 0, Nuyles 0.
BLACKWATER 102—Lastimosa 39, Rhett 16, Cervantes 15, Cortez 14, Dela Cruz 11, Reyes 3, Gamalinda 2, Golla 2, Bulawan 0, Canada 0, Erram 0, Tiongson 0.
Quarters: 29-26, 52-44, 83-72, 108-102
Second Game
MERALCO 90—Onuaku 25, Newsome 16, Hodge 12, Amer 10, David 8, Nabong 7, Alapag 6, Caram 4, Faundo 2, Bono 0, Dillinger 0, Hugnatan 0.
STAR 86—Bowles 20, Maliksi 14, Simon 12, Barroca 11, Pingris 8, Sangalang 5, Yap 5, Melton 4, Pascual 4, Cruz 3, Reavis 0, Torres 0.
Quarters: 18-26, 42-43, 67-65, 90-86