TNT routs Ginebra; Rain or Shine wins
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:30 p.m. – Star vs NLEX 6:45 p.m. – Meralco vs San Miguel
Import Glen Rice Jr. put on a shooting exhibition that mimicked his legendary father as TNT KaTropa crushed Barangay Ginebra in stunning fashion, 121-92, last night to clinch the first twice-to-beat advantage in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rice erupted for six triples highlighted by three straight in the third quarter to finish with 36 points, allowing the KaTropa in what was expected to be a tight Petron Saturday Special battle between two title-contending teams into a one-sided beatdown.
“Nasa lahi yata,” TNT coach Nash Racela said of Rice, the son of former NBA star Glen Rice.
Jayson Castro also had six threes on his way to 28 points that helped TNT secure the all-important quarterfinal bonus by finishing the elimination round with an 8-3 record, winning seven of its last eight matches.
Roger Pogoy and Troy Rosario, part of Racela’s youth movement, scored 15 points apiece and Kelly Williams displayed flashes of his old self for 10 points and 11 rebounds.
Ginebra also ended the elims at 8-3, the lopsided margin putting them in danger of missing a top four finish and the twice-to-beat going into the playoffs.
Ironically, Ginebra would have to rely on Manila Clasico rival Star to beat NLEX today at the Big Dome in order to gain the incentive. NLEX has a 7-3 record while Star carries a 6-4 slate.
A San Miguel win over Meralco also today would create a five-way tie but may put Ginebra out of the top four depending on the winning margin because of an inferior quotient. Meralco is on top with an 8-2 mark while San Miguel is tied with NLEX at 7-3.
Earlier, Rain or Shine stayed in contention for the twice-to-beat after defeating Blackwater, 122-98 with import J’Nathan Bullock scoring 30 points.
The Elasto Painters finished the elims at 7-4, their chance at a twice-tobeat a distant possibility. The Elite fell to 5-6, and will face the top seed in the quarterfinals.