TNT still on track for playoff bonus after tough win over Meralco

TNT came away with a hardfought 91-85 victory over Meralco to boost its twice-to-beat bid in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday night.

The KaTropa snapped the Bolts’ four-game winning streak and tied them at third place with a 7-3 card behind leader Rain or Shine (8-1) and Alaska (7-2).

Troy Rosario willed TNT back into winning track after tough losses to Magnolia and San Miguel with 30 points on 12-of-19 shooting along with 12 rebounds.

Veteran guard Jayson Castro backed it up with 20 points and six rebounds while Jericho Cruz had 11 points as the locals stepped up in the clutch with import Joshua Smith out of the game.

Smith exited the game midway the third quarter after taking a hit in the nose from Bolts’ import Arinze Onuaku. He had six points and seven rebounds in 20 minutes of play.

“I’m happy with the way we played especially when Josh got hurt,” said TNT coach Nash Racela.

Next in TNT’s schedule is the Elastopainters, the hottest team in the league right now with five straight victories.