KJ McDaniels explodes for 47 as TNT ends Terrific 12 stint with win

MACAU—TNT wrapped up its stint East Asia Super League: The Terrific 12 with a 99-90 victory over Niigata Thursday at Tap Seac Sports Pavilion here.

The KaTropa finished second in Group D with a 1-1 record but will not advance to the semifinals after Liaoning swept the group for slot in the penultimate round of the invitational tournament.

KJ McDaniels lit up for the KaTropa with 47 points, 17 rebounds, two steals, and two blocks while with local stars Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, and McKenzie Moore sitting the game out.

Roger Pogoy also had his moments with 27 points, five rebounds, and five steals for the KaTropa, who are gearing up for the PBA Governors’ Cup.

With the usual starters sitting the game out, TNT got a chance to utilize bench players like JK Casiño and Marion Magat while Samboy De Leon and Almond Vosotros, who previously played in the Maharlika Pilipinas Basketball League, also got extended minutes.

“They haven’t played in the past conferences that much and that was my first thought,” said active consultant Mark Dickel. “Of course we’re fortunate to have KJ with us and he makes the game that much easier.”

“We didn’t want to come away from here losing two games.”

TNT and the Albirex Basketball were in a tit-for-tat match up in the fourth quarter but McDaniels went on a personal 6-0 run that gave the KaTropa a 91-85 lead with 2:47 left to play.

Vosotros then drilled a three-pointer with 1:34 left for TNT’s 94-88 lead before McDaniels iced the game with a three-point play with 46.8 seconds to play.