TNT, Mahindra stay perfect, edge rivals
Games Today (Smart Araneta Coliseum) 4:15 p.m. – NLEX vs TNT Katropa 7 p.m. – Alaska vs Mahindra
Getting another stellar performance from Jayson Castro, TNT Katropa kept its unbeaten record intact by eking out a 101-95 win over NLEX in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Showing the form that has made him a two-time member of the FIBA-Asia Championship Mythical Five, Castro erupted for 23 points, 11 of which came in the final quarter.
Import Mario Little also had decent numbers as TNT extended its winning run to four games.
Not to be left out, Mahindra likewise streaked to its fourth win by beating Alaska by the same score – 101-95 – in the second game.
It was the first time in a long while that both games ended with the same scores.
Inspired by the presence of playing coach and Senator Manny Pacquiao, the Enforcer rallied from a 15-point deficit with a big fourth quarter surge – thanks mainly to the clutch plays from import James White and rookie Keith Agovida – to frustrate the Aces. White scored 14 of his 32 points in the final frame while adding 15 rebounds, while Agovida, who once exploded for 85 points while playing for the Jose Rizal University Light Bombers in the NCAA juniors, had six of his 11 points. Alaska, which dropped to 1-3, got 33 points and 14 boards from import Don Earlier, fans were caught by surprise when Pacquiao played in the last three minutes of the first quarter. But they groaned in unison after the boxing icon missed his target terribly from 15 feet. Little scattered 18 markers, including a lethal three-point shot off a perfect assist by Castro that gave Katropa a 100-95 buffer with just a 23.2 seconds remaining. The Road Warriors never recovered from that jolt and absorbed their third straight defeat since winning their opening game assignment. TNT Coach Jong Uichico was pleased with the win despite going through the proverbial eye of the needle. “We're just winning close games,” said Uichico as his team won three games in thrilling finishes, against Rain or Shine (10198), Meralco (98-85) and Alaska (120-118). “We're just hanging in there, we don't give up we just keep playing. We’re just playing hard, poised and disciplined. All our games are close, buti nakaka-lusot,” added Uichico. – Castro 23, Rosario 20, Little 18, Madanly 10, Rosales 8, Williams 7, De Ocampo 6, Reyes R. 5, Seigle 2, Tautuaa 2, Nuyles 0, Carey 0. – Walker 26, Taulava 14, Anthony 12, Villanueva J. 12, Baracael 10, Khobuntin 9, Akl 7, Arboleda 3, Villanueva E. 2, Lanete 0, Monfort 0, Reyes 0. Quarters: 18-21, 44-48, 6571, 101-95.
White 32, Ramos 14, Canaleta 13, Agovida 11, Zandi 9, Digregorio 7, Taha 5, Elorde 4, Bagatsing 3, Aguilar 2, Yee 1, Ballesteros 0, Guinto 0, Pacquiao 0, Pinto 0, Jaime 0. Henton 33, Abueva 21, Banchero 8, Exciminiano 8, Jazul 6, Thoss 6, Dela Cruz 4, Menk 3, Casio 2, Dela Rosa 2, Hontiveros 2, Baclao 0, Magat 0, Manuel 0, Racal 0. Quarters: 23-31, 39-54, 65-74, 101-95