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TNT restored order in the fourth quarter after blowing a big lead to beat GlobalPort, 128-114, in a heated game at the start of the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Sunday night at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro led a strong fourth quarter by the KaTropa, who went on a 24-10 surge to open the final frame.
Castro scored seven of TNT’s first 13 points before a barrage of treys by Roger Pogoy and Jericho Cruz followed by a dunk by Troy Rosario extended it to 16, 107-91, with 7:27 remaining.
“It’s nice that the PBA is allowing some level of physicality, but if it gets to a point where players intentionally hurt each other, we should all question that,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela, whose squad squandered a 21-point lead.
“I think there were some unnecessary actions in some possessions that I think the commissioner has to look at so we and the fans will be able to enjoy the game more.”
It was a heated game that saw players from both teams being called for technical and unsportsmanlike fouls especially late in the game.
GlobalPort big man Mo Tautuaa got tossed after a confrontation with TNT import Jeremy Tyler with 2:41 remaining.
After a dunk, Tautuaa’s feet careened into Tyler, who was under the basket, while hanging onto the rim. Tyler grabbed Tautuaa’s left foot and the Fil-Tongan retaliated by kicking the former NBA veteran on the chest. The two had to be separated from each other.
Another heated exchange broke out between Pogoy and Joseph Gabayni, who replaced Tautuaa, less than a minute later.
Pogoy confronted Gabayni, who fouled him hard and got called for a flagrant foul penalty one.
The game also marked the TNT debut of Terrence Romeo, who was acquired in a blockbuster trade three weeks ago.
Romeo, who played his first five seasons with the Batang Pier, finished with 11 points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field.
Castro notched a double-double with 21 points and 10 assists while Pogoy added 20 points, seven rebounds and two steals. Tyler, who was saddled by foul trouble, had 14 points and 12 rebounds in less than 26 minutes of action.
Sean Anthony fired a game-high 34 points for GlobalPort, which even took an 81-77 edge with 1:22 to go.