TNT evens series

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

With a big game befitting his mammoth frame, Joshua Smith prolonged meeting his newborn daughter.

Smith’s girlfriend, Kristy Ochoa, was scheduled to give birth Wednesday in the United States and the wide-bodied import was half-a-world away giving TNT KaTropa the lift it needed to scuttle San Miguel Beer, 102-97, in Game 4 of their best-of-seven series for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Smith finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds as TNT squared the series at 2-2 and grabbed some sort of momentum heading into Game 5 on Friday also at the Big Dome.

There was a lot of commotion on the floor, with TNT board representative Patrick Gregorio charging onto the court in the second quarter because of an inadvertent whistle that gave San Miguel two free points.

Referee Jimmy Mariano was relieved for the rest of the game and is facing suspension for the error that he later owned up to.

Jason Castro fired 10 of his 17 points in the payoff period, eight of them when the Texters put the Beermen away.

“It was a hard-fought game and it’s nice that we ended up with a win,” TNT coach Nash Racela said after getting six players in twin digits. “But all we did was tie the series, cut it down to a best-of-three.”

“It will be war (in Game 5),” added the rookie coach. “I don’t expect them (Beermen) to back down. We just have to find ways to win, like we did tonight.”

Meanwhile, playmaker Chris Ross used his all-around talent to nail his first Player of the Conference award on Wednesday night. Charles Rhodes was named Best Import.