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Tropang TNT broke out of a three-game losing slide and drubbed Phoenix, 108-96, in Petron Saturday Special of 2016 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Mall of Asia Arena.
David Simon got the job done this time out, heading the Tropa with an all-around performance of 33 points, 22 rebounds, seven assists, three steals, and three blocks.
Ranidel de Ocampo also caught fire, going 6-of-9 from rainbow country to finish with 20 markers, while Jayson Castro also went for 19 points on a 4-of-9 three-point shooting.
“Everybody contributed, everybody played well today. I didn’t have to coach that much today because of the players’ energy and execution,” said coach Jong Uichico whose crew improved to 2-3. “Alam naman nila na we lost three straight games, so alam nila yung importance of this game.”
The Tropa had a field day from beyond the arc, going 15-of-32 for an astounding 47-percent clip.
TNT kept its distance from Phoenix for the whole game, but the Fuel Masters were able to close the gap to six, 90-84, with 4:34 to go after a three-point play from Kevinn Pinkney.
However, De Ocampo and Castro drained huge treys to stave off the belated rally from Phoenix and send the newcomers to back-to-back defeats.
Still, Uichico is reluctant to say if his squad has already figured things out after a eventful start to the conference surrounding former import Ivan Johnson.
“It’s only one game. We still can’t say,” he said. “But we should build something from today’s game.”
Pinkney ended up with 26 points, 19 rebounds, and four assists in his debut for Phoenix after replacing Kenny Adeleke, while JC Intal got 16 markers in the defeat.
RR Garcia also scored 14 on a perfect 7-of-7 clip from the charity stripe, but that wasn’t enough to help the Fuel Masters to go down to 1-2.
The Scores:
TNT 108 – Simon 33, De Ocampo 20, Castro 19, Rosario 9, Fonacier 8, R. Reyes 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Williams 4, Aban 3, Tautuaa 3, Ababou 0, Carey 0.
PHOENIX 96 – Pinkney 26, Intal 16, Garcia 14, Baracael 9, Pennisi 8, Wilson 6, Brondial 5, Lanete 4, Urbiztondo 4, Fortuna 2, Monfort 2, Forrester 0.
Quarters: 26-21, 51-42, 75-67, 108-96.