TNT KaTropa showed just how resilient it is, putting up a fantastic performance in one of the most epic comebacks in recent memory.
The Tropang Texters came all the way back from 29 points down late in the third period before steadying down the stretch as they dealt NLEX a fascinating 126-121 beating to win their third straight game in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena yesterday.
Jayson Castro played his best game of the tournament thus far, pouring in a team-high 32 points and 11 assists, while Donte Greene also had a solid output of 26 points and 16 rebounds.
With the win, TNT KaTropa kept in step with the league-leaders as it improved to 3-1, while the listless Road Warriors still can’t seem to do anything right, dropping further down at the bottom with a 0-5 slate.
After orchestrating a furious rally in the fourth quarter to send the game into overtime, the veteran TNT side took charge in the extra five minutes, scoring the period’s first seven points to take a 120-113 edge and from there, it never looked back as it made sure NLEX’s agony will continue.
Ranidel De Ocampo made the game-tying three-pointer with 29 seconds for a 113-all count in regulation to eventually force an extension.
Castro had a chance to actually win it for the Texters in the fourth but his jumper at the buzzer didn’t find its mark.
It seemed like TNT was bound to have its second loss on an off-night as it didn’t exactly start the way it wanted to, falling behind by a big margin through the first three quarters.
NLEX came out of the gates with a sense of urgency, scoring 42 points right away in the opening period in a blistering start to shockingly take a gigantic 20-point bubble, 42-22, heading into the second.
The Road Warriors kept pounding and led by as many as 29 points, 89-60, after Wayne Chism’s jumper with 7:12 left in the third.
Still, the Tropang Texters kept their composure and incredibly rallied in the fourth after trailing 83-101 after the third.
Chism led the Warriors with game-highs of 35 points and 21 rebounds, but his efforts were once again not enough to give his squad a win.
Meanwhile, the PBA is celebrating its 42nd anniversary with a bang on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Highlighting the event that has HMR Phils, KServico Trade Inc., Turks Shawarma, TCL and Cloudfone as sponsors is the unveiling of the league’s new theme jingle.
“We owe our fans a great deal of gratitude. They are the reason why the PBA remains strong through these years,” said PBA Commissioner Chito Narvasa.