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TNT KaTropa handily beat San Miguel, 105-85, in their Batangas City showdown Saturday to stay steady at first place nearing the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup playoffs.
The Texters had the edge from start to finish but broke the game wide open after just a 47-45 lead at the intermission, leading by as much 29 points, 99-70, early in the fourth quarter on a triple from Troy Rosario.
Ranidel De Ocampo led TNT KaTropa’s charge with 18 points five rebounds while four others wound up in double digit scoring as they improved to 8-1 and clinched a twice-to-beat in the quarterfinals.
Turnovers doomed the Beermen, who dropped to 6-3 tied with Mahindra, as the turned the leather over 21 times that allowed the Texters to run to floor for 23 fastbreak markers.
JuneMar Fajardo had 20 points and 13 rebounds for San Miguel while import sub Michael Singletary contributed 18 points and seven boards.
The scores:
TNT KATROPA 105 – De Ocampo 18, Castro 16, Madanly 15, Rosario 13, Ammons 11, Fonacier 9, Reyes R. 8, Williams 5, Carey 4, Tautuaa 3, Rosser 2, Rosales 1, Ababou 0, Nuyles 0.
SAN MIGUEL 85 – Fajardo 20, Singletary 18, Cabagnot 17, Santos 10, Abdeen 9, Tubid 7, Espinas 2, Lassiter 2, Arana 0, David 0, De Ocampo 0, Ross 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 47-45, 80-64, 105-85