Astep ahead
Jones, Rosario shine as TNT takes Game 1; San Miguel, Rain or Shine start series
After winning a match that featured 22 lead changes, TNT coach Bong Ravena knows things are only going to get tougher. And how a 95-92 Game 1 decision over Barangay Ginebra in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series Friday could hold little meaning unless the KaTropa come up with an encore in Game 2.
“This game will not matter if we don’t come back [strong] again in two days,” Ravena said after TNT battled from a 10point third quarter deficit at Smart Araneta Coliseum. “So we have to prepare again. We can’t afford to relax because we all know Ginebra comes back.”
At the very least, though, TNT has an idea of what works against Ginebra.
KaTropa import Terrence Jones had 24 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists and hit the buffer basket late, but it was his work on defense that spurred TNT. Jones denied Kings import Justin Brownlee valuable touches and had a key steal that led to a fastbreak layup for a 93-89 edge, 1:32 to play.
Ginebra battled to within a point off a Stanley Pringle basket and a Brownlee split but Jones banked in a basket for the final count with 10 seconds remaining, letting the TNT defense do its job the rest of the way.
“Obviously defense got us the win. It really helped us especially at the end of the game,” said Ravena.
Troy Rosario also came big in the opener of the race-to-three affair, pumping in 24 points—including five triples that spaced the floor—and grabbing 10 rebounds for TNT.
Rosario also tied the score at 89 after a rally by TNT from 10 points down in the second half.
Brownlee had 23 points, 15 rebounds, and nine assists but was a nonfactor for the Gin Kings in the stretch—largely due to Jones’ defense. His split in the endgame was his only point in the fourth period.
Pringle and LA Tenorio scored 18 each while Joe Devance added 11 for Ginebra.
The semifinals continue on Saturday with San Miguel Beer tagged overwhelming favorites over Rain or Shine in their own best-of-five affair.
“Ours is a story of David and Goliath, according to coach,” said Rain or Shine big man Beau Belga, shortly after his squad secured the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal berth with an 85-83 do-or-die victory over Blackwater on Thursday.
Goliath, of course, is San Miguel Beer, the powerhouse and talent-laden squad whose struggles early in the tournament seem like a distant memory with the way it has strung up wins to reach the semifinals.
And when they hit the court at the Big Dome at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, the Painters are hoping they can come up with the same biblical ending.
“In that story, David triumphed. It wouldn’t hurt to dream a little, right?” Belga said.