Mahindra finally tabs first PBA playoff spot

JAMES White (right) helps Mahindra break new ground with a victory over Mychal Ammons and TNT KaTropa. The Enforcers made their first playoff appearance in franchise history. AUGUST DELA CRUZ

Add another chapter to Mahindra’s record-smashing PBA Governors’ Cup campaign.

The Enforcers formalized their first playoff appearance last night by inflicting a first loss on TNT KaTropa, 107-104, after getting 24 points and 10 rebounds from James White and twin digits from four others at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

“This is definitely new ground for us,” Chris Gavina, listed as the assistant coach of the Enforcers, told reporters. “We’re happy we just made franchise history. We’re moving in the right direction but we need to stay level headed as possible.”

Mahindra still has three games remaining, and after improving to 6-2 for solo second, has won the most games in a conference for the franchise that entered the league in 2014.

Despite the loss, the Texters remained atop the standings at 6-1, still on track toward a twice-to-beat privilege.

Phoenix Petroleum rose to 3-4 later in the night after pulling out a 95-91 overtime win over NLEX. The Road Warriors took a second straight loss in a 3-5 card.

The Enforcers have defeated the strongest teams in the conference and claimed the side that was playing the best going into last night.

“There’s a reason why they [were] undefeated going into this game,” Gavina said. “We were just fortunate to execute our game plan and the guys were really dialed in. I told them that it would take no less than a championship effort [to beat TNT].”

The game was tied for the last time at 64 after the Texters, through Jason Castro, rallied from several 10-point deficits.

From there, the character and poise of the young Enforcers were put to the test, and they responded by shutting down Castro’s supporting cast in the fourth to pull out the win.

Meanwhile, GlobalPort shoots for a third straight victory today when the Batang Pier slug it out with on-and-off Rain or Shine in a Petron Saturday Special game slated at Ibalong Centrum for Recreation in Legazpi City.

Game time is 5 p.m.

The scores:

First Game

MAHINDRA 107—White 24, Taha 15, Canaleta 13, Revilla 12, Digregorio 11, Guinto 9, Bagatsing 8, Agovida 4, Jaime 4, Ramos 4, Yee 3, Ballesteros 0, Elorde 0.

TNT KATROPA 104—Castro 33, Ammons 20, Fonacier 13, Rosario 11, De Ocampo 9, Rosales 5, Williams 4, Reyes 3, Tautuaa 3, Madanly 2, Carey 1, Rosser 0.

Quarters: 19-23, 51-44, 78-72, 107-104

Second Game

PHOENIX 95—Phelps 29, Baguio 10, Buenafe 9, W.Wilson 9, Urbiztondo 9, Enciso 5, Borboran 5, Cruz 5, Miranda 4, Lanete 4, Lee 2, Caperal 2, Torres 0, Pennisi 0.

NLEX 91—Walker 23, Alas 16, Taulava 12, Baracael 11, J. Villanueva 7, Monfort 6, E. Villanueva 5, Anthony 4, Lanete 3, Khobuntin 2, Akl 2,

Quarters: 11-16, 33-39, 60-64, 84-84 (reg.), 95-91 (OT)