PBA playoffs: Alaska stays alive after 36-point rout of top seed TNT
Alaska import Diamond Simpson against TNT defenders. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–Alaska played with total precision against a proud TNT side to carve out a stunning 108-72 victory on Sunday night turning its twice-to-win predicament to a level playing field in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
The Aces drew collective effort from their personnel with import Diamon Simpson and Jeron Teng leading the charge with 15 points each.
Four more locals tossed in 11 or more points in the victory that gave Alaska—which two days ago just figured in a sudden-death for the eighth seed—a fighting chance in the midseason tournament.
Alaska led by as many as 38 in the contest.
Jayson Castro scored 23 points for KaTropa, who missed the usual eye-popping numbers from its reinforcement Terrence Jones.
The import only had 19 points and six rebounds—a far cry from the double-double figures he churned out during the elimination phase.
The loss is only the second for TNT, but will weigh the heaviest as this pushes them at the brink of another disaster.
KaTropa went undefeated in the elimination round of 2014 Commissioner’s Cup and swept their way to the Finals only to bow down San Mig Coffee, 3-1.
The two teams go at it again on Wednesday at the same venue.
