TNT KaTropa sent Blackwater crashing back to earth, dominating the erstwhile-streaking squad with ease, 117-96, to notch a vital win in the 2017 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City last night.
Once again, it was Glen Rice Jr. who backstopped the Tropang Texters, unloading a team-high 31 points, six rebounds and seven steals as he excelled on both sides of the floor.
Kelly Williams came off the bench to have a solid night himself, tallying 21 points and four rebounds to help their reinforcement.
This was TNT’s second straight win to improve to 4-2 as it gained a tie for fifth with Rain or Shine, while Blackwater saw its winning streak snapped at three. It now carries a 3-4 mark.
Following a brief stoppage of the contest early in the second, TNT KaTropa took advantage and uncorked a key 17-6 run that extended its five-point lead to 11, 47-31 halfway the quarter, as it established its first double-digit lead.
From there, the Tropang Texters seized control and took an even bigger 22-point cushion at the turn, 62-40.
They never looked back as they made it look like a walk in the park, outclassing the Elite totally until the final horn.
Jayson Castro added 11 markers, while returning Rudy Lingganay added 10 for TNT.
For most part, the Tropang Texters led by 20 points or more as they were never really threatened.
Henry Walker still top-scored with 33 points and 18 rebounds, but was held back in a critical part of the game where Blackwater got left behind.
Walker picked up his third foul as early as the 9:53 mark of the second, limiting his effectivity through the rest of the first half where TNT capitalized.
The game was temporarily halted for quite a period early in the second period, at the 10:44 mark, due to technical difficulties.
NBA legend and three-time world champion Ray Allen, who is in Manila for a personal visit, was in attendance to observe the games.
The scores:
TNT 117—Rice Jr. 31, Williams 21, Castro 11, Lingganay 10, Tautuaa 9, Reyes 8, Pogoy 8, De Ocampo 7, Carey 6, Rosario 3, Semerad 3, Golla 0, Nuyles 0, Hernandez 0.
BLACKWATER 96—Walker 33, Erram 18, Digregorio 12, Sumang 8, Belo 7, Canaleta 6, Cruz 4, Pinto 4, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Miranda 0, Sena 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 62-40, 92-71, 117-96.