TNT guard Jayson Castro shoots the game-winning 3-pointer in Game 3 of the PBA Philippine Cup semifinals against Magnolia. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—Jayson Castro rescued TNT from the brink of defeat with a three-point shot in the dying seconds to stun Magnolia, 93-92, and take a 2-1 lead in their 2022 PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series on Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Like he had done in the past, Castro came through for the Tropang Giga after the Hotshots had gone ahead by two on a Mark Barroca basket with 9.8 seconds remaining.
Castro used a Kelly Williams screen to find a good spot to deliver the winning triple with 2.4 seconds left which enabled TNT to steal a victory away from Magnolia while regaining the driver seat in the best-of-seven affair.
Big shot after big shot!!!
BUT what an ending!!! #PBAGameTayoDito pic.twitter.com/LncQm8modr
— PBA (@pbaconnect) August 7, 2022
“The [play] was run the way we exactly wanted it,” said coach Chot Reyes, who already drew up the offensive play prior to Barroca’s basket with the Tropang Giga out of timeouts.
TNT goes for a commanding 3-1 lead on Wednesday at the same venue.
Castro posted 16 points to help TNT get the win despite being down by 10 in the second quarter and seven early in the fourth.
Center Poy Erram knocked down shots from the outside and produced 22 points while grabbing eight rebounds for the Tropang Giga. Ace scorer Mikey Williams went 4-of-13 from the floor for 15 points but dished out 10 assists.
Barroca scored 15 but Magnolia couldn’t pull off the win despite losing Calvin Abueva and Ian Sangalang in the fourth due to six personal fouls each.
Abueva put up 18 points and six rebounds, leading a third quarter that brought Magnolia back on top after TNT led, 47-41, at the break, and Sangalang produced 17 and nine.
The scores:
TNT 93 — Erram 22, Castro 16, Khobuntin 15, Williams M. 15, Rosario 8, Pogoy 7, Williams K. 7, Montalbo 3, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
MAGNOLIA 92 — Abueva 18, Sangalang 17, Barroca 15, Dionisio 10, Dela Rosa 9, Lee 9, Wong 6, Jalalon 4, Corpuz 2, Laput 2, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 18-24, 47-41, 66-73, 93-92.