PBA: Magnolia spoils TNT’s twice-to-beat bid

Magnolia import Romeo Travis. PBA IMAGES

MANILA— Magnolia ran every chance to bring TNT to its knees for a 100-93 victory Saturday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao.

Import Romeo Travis had 21 points for the Hotshots, who effectively denied the KaTropa a chance at tabbing the last twice-to-beat incentive for the Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.

Chris Banchero and Paul Lee each tossed in 13 points while Magnolia’s other pair of guards in Mark Barroca and Jio Jalalon combined for 18 points in the stand for a 6-5 record in the race.

KJ McDaniels had 33 points, while Bobby Ray Parks Jr. chipped in 21 more, giving TNT a fighting chance to arrest their slide in the payoff period.

Roger Pogoy added 13 in the effort but was unable to complete a comeback from what was at one point a 23-point rut.

Magnolia, the reigning conference champion, has long secured its place for the next round, but it missed out on catching the coveted playoff bonus after its loss to NLEX last week.

TNT, for its part, is still in the running for that win-once perk but will have its last crack in a rematch with Commissioner’s Cup Finals tormentor and Grand Slam-seeking San Miguel Beer this Wednesday at Antipolo City.