TNT blasts SMB, gets playoff edge
WITH a sustained team effort all game long, TNT KaTropa last night flashed its deadliest form in the PBA Governors’ Cup and secured a twice-to-beat privilege in the playoffs after ripping San Miguel Beer, 105-85, in a Petron Saturday Special game at Batangas City Coliseum.
The Texters scooted away from a tight first half by dropping 33 third quarter points on the Beermen, who were never able to recover from that as TNT erected leads of as large as 99-70 to complete the unexpected blowout.
TNT, which got double digit scores from all but one in its starting roster and double-doubles from two, rose to 8-1 and now has the luxury of choosing a quarterfinal opponent, which the Texters would need to beat just once to march on to the Final Four.
San Miguel dropped to 6-3 and into a tie for third spot with idle Mahindra.
Ranidel de Ocampo, the hero in the last TNT win that came against GlobalPort, paced the Texters with 18 points, with Jason Castro shooting 16 that went with 13 assists and import Mychal Ammons firing 11 and grabbing the same number of boards.
Asian import Michael Madanly came off the bench to shoot 15 built around three triples, while rookie Troy Rosario fired 13, including a triple off the glass that opened up that 29-point lead going into the last 5:37.
San Miguel coach Leo Austria threw in the white towel shortly after that by pulling out reigning two-time MVP June Mar Fajardo, who had 20 points and 13 rebounds.
Michael Singletary, the replacement for the injured Arizona Reid, had 18 and seven boards but still couldn’t help the Beermen from taking their worst defeat in the season-closing conference.
Meanwhile, Rain or Shine shoots for a second straight victory and at least a tie for a quarterfinal berth when the Elasto Painters battle struggling NLEX as action goes to Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay today.
Game time is 4:30 p.m. with the Painters hoping to get a lot more from import Jason Forte, who will be playing a second game in his fourth night in the country.
Meralco tries to act as Star’s executioner later in the night when they clash at 6:45 p.m., with the Bolts shooting for a victory that could also fan whatever little flame is left of their aspirations for a top four finish and a twice-to-beat privilege.
With San Miguel’s loss and Mahindra’s setback at the hands of the Painters on Friday night, Meralco, at 5-4, as well as idle Phoenix Petroleum and Rain or Shine are still mathematically in the running for a top four berth.
San Miguel and Mahindra are now at 6-3 and would need sweeps of their last two assignments to be able to assure themselves of scot-free slots in the top four since the Fuel Masters and the Painters cannot win more than seven games overall.
The Hotshots have lost their last five games and another defeat would mean curtains for them, putting an end to a 15-conference streak of playoff appearances.
The Scores:
TNT KATROPA 105–De Ocampo 18, Castro 16, Madanly 15, Rosario 13, Ammons 11, Fonacier 9, Reyes 8, Williams 5, Carey 4, Tautuaa 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Rosales 1, Nuyles 0.
SAN MIGUEL BEER 85–Fajardo 20, Singletary 18, Cabagnot 17, Santos 10, Abdeen 9, Tubid 7, Lassiter 2, Espinas 2, Arana 0, David 0, De Ocampo 0.
Quarters: 28-20, 47-45, 80-64, 105-85.
