MOALA Tautuaa of Talk ‘N Text tries to go for a shot against Globalport’s Jay Washington. AUGUST DELA CRUZ
TNT KATROPA bungled complete command and had a tough time putting GlobalPort away, needing a Ranidel de Ocampo jumper with 5.7 seconds remaining for a 122-120 win as the Texters put one hand on a top four slot last night in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Texters lost a 24-point second quarter lead and needed that De Ocampo bucket—the team’s only points in the last 3:14—to seal a 7-1 record and practically nail a quarterfinal bonus.
Jason Castro, who had 37 points, set up De Ocampo’s shot with a nifty pass as the Texters rebounded mightily from their first loss of the conference to deal the Batang Pier their first loss in the last four games and fifth in eight outings overall.
That wrote GlobalPort off the running for a place in the top four, which rewards teams with twice-to-beat privileges in the first round against lower-ranked teams.
“We went into a lull in offense in the latter part,” TNT coach Jong Uichico told reporters after heaving a huge sigh of relief. “We needed this win any way (we could get it).”
In the second game, San Miguel Beer tripped Meralco, 110-106, to tie Ginebra and Mahindra at second place with identical 6-2 records.
Meralco dropped to 5-4.
Castro took the best that the prolific GlobalPort guard tandem of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle could offer, finishing with 22 for the half and giving the Texters a 120-109 lead with 3:14 left with the last of his six triples.
But the Batang Pier persevered, with Romeo touching off an 11-0 run with his fifth trey as GlobalPort tied it all up for the only time with 41.7 seconds remaining after the last of two straight Pringle layups.
After De Ocampo’s jumper, the Batang Pier had a chance to sew it all up again but Pringle bungled a crosscourt pass to Jay Washington, giving possession back to the Texters with 2.2 remaining.
An 18-0 run from 24-18 bridging the first and second periods opened up that 24-point lead for the Texters.
The scores:
First Game
TNT KATROPA 122—Castro 37, De Ocampo 17, Fonacier 14, R. Reyes 11, Madanly 10, Williams 8, Ammons 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Rosario 5, Carey 0, Rosser 0.
GLOBALPORT 120—Glover 38, Romeo 33, Pringle 25, Washington 9, Taha 5, Salvacion 3, Semerad 3, Dehesa 2, Yeo 2, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 35-18, 70-52, 96-86, 122-120
Second Game
SAN MIGUEL 110—Fajardo 24, Singletary 21, Santos 19, Cabagnot 18, David 13, Ross 9, Lassiter 4, De Ocampo 2, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Tubid 0.
MERALCO 106—Durham 34, Alapag 14, Newsome 12, Faundo 10, Hodge 10, Nabog 10, Amer 7, Hugnatan 6, Dillinger 3, Buenafe 0, Uyloan 0.
Quarters: 25-24, 55-44, 81-79, 110-106