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TNT blew a big lead before holding off Meralco, 113-107, in the 2017 PBA Governors’ Cup Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro made crucial defensive plays down the stretch to help the KaTropa preserve their fifth victory in eight games.
Castro had two blocks late, including a risky rejection on Jared Dillinger’s 3-point attempt that kept the Bolts, who were just down by four, 109-105, during that point, at bay.
“This [close] game was expected because we’re playing against probably the Best Import of the conference,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela, referring to Meralco’s Allen Durham.
“Our players were up to the challenge, Kelly (Williams), Mo (Tautuaa) and I think Ranidel (de Ocampo) for a while so it took us a team effort to make it hard for him on the offensive end,” he added.
Durham, the reigning Governors’ Cup Best Import, still came away with 39 points and 24 rebounds despite the KaTropa’s defensive schemes.
The 31-year-old Castro finished with 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the field, three rebounds, three assists and two blocks while TNT import Glen Rice Jr. had 32 points and 11 rebounds.
TNT lost a 21-point lead it built in the second quarter as Meralco pulled to within two, 78-76, at the 3:41 mark of the third quarter.
The Bolts, however, couldn’t get over the hump as they suffered just their second loss in seven stints and slipped to third place.