Jayson Castro lifts TNT over SMB, sends series to do-or-die Game 3

Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

Dragged into a back-and-forth battle, TNT kept its composure behind its chief playmaker Jayson Castro and held off four-time defending champion San Miguel Beer, 93-88, in Game 2 of their 2019 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals series Monday night at Araneta Coliseum.

Castro was brilliant all game long, accounting for 19 markers and nine assists in KaTropa’s campaign that faced its biggest threat in the final five minutes of the game.

“We just tied the series. Nothing to celebrate. Our goal tonight was to stay in the series,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena. “I’m just glad we’re making our outside shots which we were missing in the last game.”

“We just played harder this time. Hopefully next game, the intensity and our energy stays the same. Or even improves,” he added.

RR Pogoy led all of TNT in scoring with 20, while Troy Rosario and Don Trollano registered 15 and 12, respectively.

The Beermen’s frontcourt of June Mar Fajardo and Christian Standhardinger shouldered the most of the burden of keeping their opponents within striking range. The former had  26 markers and 19 boards while the latter 18 and 8.   

Terrence Romeo, who dealt the most damage for SMB in Game 1, scored 12.

The victory by TNT forged a double do-or-die showcase on Wednesday night still at the Big Dome with Magnolia also extending its series with a blowout victory over Barangay Ginebra earlier.

The scores:

TNT 93 – Pogoy 20, Castro 19, Rosario 15, Trollano 12, Reyes 9, Washington 5, Semerad, A. 4, Williams 4, Taha 4, Heruela 1, Carey 0.

San Miguel 88 – Fajardo 26, Standhardinger 18, Cabagnot 16, Romeo 12, Ross 6, Lassiter 5, Santos 5, Tubid 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Nabong 0, Pessumal 0.

Quarters: 20-19, 54-43, 73-68, 93-88.