Castro returns as TNT routs Rain or Shine
PBA IMAGES
Tropang TNT took full advantage of the absence of head coach Yeng Guiao and humbled Rain or Shine, 114-103, in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup Monday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropa snapped the Elasto Painters’ three-game winning streak and scored their first consecutive wins this conference in what was a rematch of last year’s Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
“First time namin maka-back-to-back wins. Hopefully, we get over the top,” said Uichico, as TNT leveled itself with Rain or Shine, Mahindra, and Star at 4-4. “We’re still there, but we have to take care of the next three games.”
Jayson Castro came off the bench lit up his crew with 26 points, on a 4-of-7 shooting from threes, four rebounds and four assists in his first game back since his two-game absence from his Achilles injury.
David Simon also had 20 markers and 14 boards, while Ryan Reyes and Jai Reyes both wound up with 12 points apiece.
The Tropa were on-point from the start, taking a 15-4 lead early and built a 59-44 edge at halftime.
The Elasto Painters, however, would roar back and trim the lead to just six, 79-73 with a pair of JR Quinahan free throws at the 3:25 mark of the third.
Unfortunately, Castro commandeered a 22-6 tear abridging the final two quarters to once again put the Tropa up to their biggest lead at 22, 101-79, with 8:43 remaining in the game.
Quinahan’s career night was spoiled as he had 25 points and 12 rebounds in the defeat.
Mo Charlo also got 22 markers and eight boards, while Jericho Cruz had 21 in a game where Guiao served his one-game suspension following his ejection in Rain or Shine’s win over Mahindra last Wednesday.
The scores:
TNT 114 – Castro 26, Simon 20, J. Reyes 12, R. Reyes 12, Ababou 11, Rosario 11, Carey 7, Williams 6, Tautuaa 4, De Ocampo 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2.
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Quinahan 25, Charlo 22, Cruz 21, Ahanmisi 11, Norwood 8, Chan 5, Almazan 4, Tiu 3, Belga 2, Ibanes 2, Lee 0, Nimes 0, Ponferrada 0, Trollano 0.
Quarters: 31-23, 59-44, 92-75, 114-103.
