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ANTIPOLO CITY—TNT didn’t begin the PBA Governors’ Cup as early as the other teams but it went straight to work in turning back Kia, 106-96, Friday at Ynares Sports Centre here.
The KaTropa started their conference more than a week after the Governors’ Cup opened and immediately tacked on a 1-0 card while the Picanto languished at the bottom of the standings with a 0-3 record.
“To be honest, we didn’t really know what to expect going into the game because, of course, we prioritized rest over practice,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela, whose team lost to San Miguel Beer in six games in the Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
“And we really didn’t know what to expect from our import. But I think the earlier we could learn to play with each other, and with the import, the better.”
Star also had little trouble in prolonging another team’s misery as it frustrated Alaska, 101-92, in the other game.
The Hotshots improved to 2-0 while extending Alaska’s losing streak to 11 games dating back to the Commissioner’s Cup.
Malcolm Hill had a team-high 28 points to lead the Hotshots while Paul Lee added 18 points and five assists.
Despite playing its first game, TNT KaTropa’s control of the game never seemed to be in peril.
Although TNT lost a 12-point lead, 95-83, when Kia mounted an 8-1 run to cut the margin to 96-91 at the 3:40 mark of the fourth, the Texters were quick to regain control of the situation.
TNT built another double-digit lead, 104-94, when Troy Rosario converted on a breakaway layup with 1:09 left in the game.
Michael Craig made a splash in his first game in the conference with 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 12 assists to lead TNT while Rosario finished with a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards.