TNT rips Star, solidifies hold of top spot

PBA IMAGES

TNT inched closer to clinching the top spot after repulsing Star, 115-105, in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup Sunday night at Mall of Asia Arena.

Larry Fonacier came off the bench and led the KaTropa, who upped their league-leading mark to 9-1, with 23 points on 8-of-11 shooting from the field.

“We’re waiting what our placing will be and who will face. In the meantime, we want to keep our momentum going and play at a high level intensity and hopefully bring it to the next round,” said TNT head coach Jong Uichico.

Jayson Castro had 21 points while Mychal Ammons added a double-double with 14 point and 17 rebounds for the KaTropa, who clawed their way back from an early 11-point deficit.

Even despite playing with nothing to lose, the also-ran Hotshots still couldn’t get out of their funk as they dropped their eighth game in 10 outings.

TNT can clinch the No. 1 seed on Wednesday if second-running Barangay Ginebra loses to Phoenix.

Fittingly, the KaTropa and the Gin Kings will be the final game of the elimination round set on Sept. 18.

“Ginebra will be the test. We might not meet them in the top four, but for sure if you go to the next round, it could be that,” Uichico said.

Joel Wright paced the Hotshots with 27 points 17 rebounds and three blocks while veteran locals PJ Simon and Marc Pingris scored 20 and 17 points, respectively.

The scores:

TROPANG TNT 115 – Fonacier 21, Castro 21, Tautuaa 16, Ammons 14, Rosario 10, Madanly 10, Williams 9, Rosales 7, Reyes 5, De Ocampo 2, Carey 0, Rosser 0.

STAR 105 – Wright 27, Simon 20, Pingris 17, Barroca 10, Maliksi 9, Garcia 8, Pascual 6, Reavis 4, Mallari 4, Brondial 0, Melton 0.

Quarterscores: 27-27, 50-55, 89-83, 115-105