PBA: TNT fends off Columbian to inch closer to no. 2
Jayson Castro leads TNT KaTropa. PBA IMAGES
ANTIPOLO — TNT grabbed the lead early and held off Columbian’s last-ditch rally for the 101-98 win Friday in the PBA Philippine Cup action at Ynares Center here.
“We knew how important our last two games our. So we stuck to the plan,” KaTropa coach Bong Ravena said. “There were lapses.”
“Knowing the game, [situations like these happen] … I hope it just doesn’t happen again,” Ravena, in Filipino, said of TNT’s near meltdown. “Fortunately we had a cushion.”
The Dyip managed to narrow the gap to just three points in the final 48 seconds of the game behind Rashawn McCarthy, but Columbian’s skipper missed a chance to send the game to overtime as his attempt from top of the rainbow only hit the rim’s front iron.
TNT drew 20 points from its grizzled playmaker Jayson Castro, while Ryan Reyes and Troy Rosario each pumped in 19 markers. Two more members of KaTropa posted 12 or more points.
The victory propelled TNT—now 7-3—closer to idle Rain or Shine, which half a game ahead at no. 2, to stay in the hunt for the last twice-to-beat incentive.
Barangay Ginebra is the other only team left to challenge ElastoPainters for the second spot, having three games more left to play in the first round.
“Our focus now is to win our last game this Sunday. The rest? We have no control over it. Whatever happens, happens,” Ravena said.
TNT closes out its elimination round campaign against ousted NorthPort this Sunday at Araneta Coliseum.
Columbian ended the conference with a 4-7 record but is still set to play yet another game—a waiting one—as its bid for a playoff berth now lies on the results of Magnolia, Alaska, and NLEX’s last two games.
The Scores
TNT 101 – Castro 20, Reyes 19, Rosario 19, Pogoy 14, Williams 12, Heruela 8, Taha 4, Carey 2, Semerad 2, Washington 1, Cruz 0, Trollano 0, Miranda 0.
Columbian 98 – Perez 22, McCarthy 17, Camson 14, Corpuz 13, Calvo 13, Khobuntin 11, Faundo 4, Reyes 3, Celda 2, Cabrera 0, Escoto 0, Cahilig 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 47-37, 80-67, 101-98.
