Greene’s 41 helps TNT deal San Miguel 1st loss
PBA IMAGES
Donte Greene unloaded 41 points to carry TNT to a 107-101 victory and inflict San Miguel its first loss in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 29-year-old big man went on a three-point barrage, going 7-of-12 from beyond the arc while also hauling down 21 rebounds and dishing out two assists to improve the KaTropa’s standing at 6-2.
“I think he was motivated because of the trashtalking that’s been happening between him and (Charles) Rhodes,” said coach Nash Racela of his import’s season-best showing.
Kelly Williams chipped in 15 markers and six boards off the bench, while Larry Fonacier fired 14 points on a 4-of-7 shooting from treys, two of which coming in the crucial stages of the game to diffuse the Beermen’s uprising.
RR Garcia poured 12 points, three assists, and two rebounds in his TNT debut, while Mo Tautuaa had 11 markers and six boards.
“We are fortunate today that June Mar (Fajardo) is not there for San Miguel, but I told them that though we lost three players to Gilas full time for Seaba, it’s nice that we have players who are ready to step forward,” said Racela, expressing his glee with how his players responded after losing key cogs Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, and Roger Pogoy to Gilas Pilipinas.
TNT raced to an early 34-20 advantage in the second quarter and kept San Miguel at bay for the entirety of the game.
However, the Beermen locked down on their press late in the fourth period which allowed them to turn a 100-89 deficit with less than three minutes remaining to just two, 100-98, after a Marcio Lassiter layup with 1:36 left.
Fonacier, though, would knock down a three from right wing before following it up with another long bomb in the last 30.8 to finally take the air out of San Miguel, 110-101.
Charles Rhodes unfurled 43 markers in his duel against Greene, while also grabbing eight rebounds, two assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Chris Ross and Lassiter both had 17 markers in the defeat, which dropped the Beermen to a 5-1 slate. /atm
The Scores:
TNT 112 – Greene 41, Williams 15, Fonacier 14, Garcia 12, Tautuaa 11, Carey 6, Reyes 5, Rosales 4, De Ocampo 4.
SAN MIGUEL 103 – Rhodes 43, Ross 17, Lassiter 17, Santos 11, Cabagnot 7, Espinas 6, De Ocampo 2, Heruela 0, Tubid 0.
Quarters: 27-16, 53-42, 79-70, 112-103.
