PBA: TNT comes out firing in opener, crushes Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines–TNT came out of the gates hard Wednesday night and destroyed Blackwater, 135-107, as the KaTropa opened their PBA Governors’ Cup bid on a convincing note at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The KaTropa were in their elements—thanks to a stint in the Terrific 12 in Macau—and played at a level the Elite couldn’t come close to matching as TNT primed itself up for a tougher game the next time up against Rain or Shine Saturday.

KJ McDaniels scored 41 points and led four others who finished in twin digits for the KaTropa, the runners-up to powerhouse San Miguel Beer in the Commissioner’s Cup.

McDaniels also had 21 rebounds and seven assists, and his nine turnovers didn’t really matter as the KaTropa played with control all night.

Rookie Ray Parks led the Elite with 39 points.