Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, April 7) — TNT KaTropa outlasted the NLEX Road Warriors Friday in overtime, 126-121, for their third win in the ongoing 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup elimination round at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jayson Castro bagged 32 points and 11 assists for TNT.
NLEX was clicking on all cylinders and established a 76-53 advantage at the halftime break.
The Road Warriors sustained their momentum in the third frame and were even able to build a huge lead which ballooned to as high as 29.
But KaTropa slowly climbed back with Jayson Castro and Ranidel De Ocampo burying back-to-back triples to tie the match, 113-113, with 29 seconds left in the game.
Garvo Lanete lost the crucial possession off a wide pass from Kevin Alas which did not help NLEX’s cause at the dying seconds of the match.
Jayson Castro had the chance to win the game for TNT but his jump shot rattled out of the rim.
KaTropa’s 7-0 blast at the start of the extra period was too much for the Road Warriors to overcome.
Roger Pogoy’s fastbreak lay-up sealed the victory for TNT who captured its third victory in four outings.
Import Wayne Chism tallied 35 markers and 21 boards NLEX who remained winless in the 2017 Commissioner’s Cup.
KaTropa will go up against the Mahindra Floodbuster on April 9 (Sunday) at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The scores:
TNT (126) – Castro 32, Greene 26, De Ocampo 22, Pogoy 20, Rosario 16, Williams 6, Fonacier 2, Carey 2, Rosales 0, Reyes 0, Tamsi 0.
NLEX (121) – Chism 35, Alas 19, Lastimosa 13, Tiongson 10, Camson 7, Khobuntin 7, Al-Hussaini 7, Anthony 6, Taulava 4, Rios 3, Guinto 3, J. Villanueva 2, Soyud 2, Baracael 2, Lanete 1
Quarterscores: 22-42, 53-76, 83-101, 113-113, 126-121.
