PBA: TNT stays hot, holds off Columbian for 5th straight win

MANILA, Philippines–TNT rode a swashbuckling fourth quarter to frustrate Columbian, 109-102, and tighten its grip on the PBA Commissioner’s Cup lead Friday night in a see-saw affair at Cuneta Astrodome in Pasay.

KaTropa extended their red-hot run in the middle conference—one that has spanned for five games—keyed largely by a collective scoring effort when it mattered.

“During the start of the game, we were slow that’s why we struggled. Big credit for Columbian for giving us a hard time. Their wings gave us a hard time defending. Good thing we got back in the second half,” coach Bong Ravena said.

“We knew they were going to come out strong. They’re young and they [thrived] on an open court,” he added.

Terrence Jones and Jayson Castro figured as TNT’s one-two punch anew, with the do-it-all import scoring 39 and the skipper tossing in 22 off the bench to help KaTropa improve to 7-1.

Reinforcement Lester Prosper bore the brunt of production for the Dyip, registering 37 points and 20 rebounds, as CJ Perez and JP Calvo added 22 and 15, respectively in the contest that saw 11 lead changes.

Columbian had multiple tastes of the lead across the first three quarters, but was virtually powerless in the fourth with the TNT’s backup unit making its presence felt.

“We just have to learn from this game again. We look at resting first but get back on focusing at the task at hand again,” Ravena added.

TNT faces 2-3 Rain or Shine next, following a break that will stretch for nearly two weeks.

Columbian, meanwhile, gets a shot at the same squad on a rare road game at Batangas City Coliseum this Sunday.