Castro returns as TNT ends Blackwater’s early streak

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Jayson Castro made a triumphant return as TNT dealt surprise leader Blackwater its first loss, 99-92, Friday in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Castro came back from a two-game hiatus and scattered 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists to help KaTropa notch their second straight win.

But before everything went smooth sailing, the KaTropa first had to crawl back from an early nine-point deficit, 30-21, against a motivated Elite side.

“We didn’t start the way we wanted to. We only adjusted when coach Nash started to get mad at the players, then they started doing the right things,” said assistant coach Josh Reyes, who addressed the media in lieu of new TNT coach Nash Racela.

It was officially Racela’s first game as the head coach after his duties with Far Eastern U in the UAAP has ended.

TNT managed to recoup its old form just in time and pushed the lead to 13, 88-75, in the fourth, staving off numerous comeback attempts from Blackwater.

“These are the things that we need to adjust on. We need to come out everytime with the right things in mind, energy-wise, intensity, and pride-wise,” said Reyes.

Mo Tautuaa also had 20 markers and four boards, while Ranidel de Ocampo fired 10 of his 15 points in the fourth, to go with eight rebounds and four assists.

Mac Belo topped Blackwater with 21 points and nine rebounds, while Nard Pinto and Kyle Pascual both wound up with 14 in the loss.

The Scores:

TNT 99 – Tautuaa 20, Castro 20, De Ocampo 15, Fonacier 11, Rosario 8, Ganuelas-Rosser 8, Carey 5, Reyes 5, Williams 4, Pogoy 3, Hernandez 0, Rosales 0, Golla 0.
Blackwater 92 -Belo 21, K. Pascual 14, Pinto 14, Dela Cruz 12, Cervantes 10, Miranda 5, Ababou 4, Aguilar 4, Buenafe 4, Sena 4, Banal 0, R. Pascual 0, Forrester 0.

Quarters: 21-30, 50-46, 76-67, 99-92.