TNT KaTropa stepped on the gas in critical stages in the second half to subdue woeful Kia, 90-85, in the resumption of the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup last night at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Veterans Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams carried most of the load for the Tropang Texters throughout the contest.
Williams scored a game-high 23 points with eight rebounds, while Castro had an all-around effort, scoring 22 points of top of nine rebounds and four assists.
The win moved TNT up to fourth place with a 4-3 mark.
On the other hand, Kia slipped further down to 1-6 at the bottom as its chances of making it in the post-season became even more bleak.
A late blitz in the third period allowed TNT to gain leverage and control.
For most part, it was a neck-to-neck battle as both teams were exchanged punches.
Neither team gained a significant upperhand through most of the first three quarters, until TNT KaTropa created some much needed separation to end the third.
A key 11-0 run to end the third enabled the Texters to turn a 58-62 deficit into a crucial 69-62 advantage heading into the final frame.
That spurt proved to be the deciding factor as TNT held on in the payoff period by keeping Kia at bay, even as the Picanto had a final surge.
Kia erected a 6-0 run to get itself back in the game and trim its deficit to only two, 83-85, with 1:35 left after a Jackson Corpuz basket.
But the Texters immediately answered to ice the game, scoring four straight points courtesy of RR Garcia on successive plays to make it 89-83 for the Texters with only 44 ticks left.
That proved to be the dagger and the Picanto was unable to recover.
Rashawn McCarthy led Kia with 21 markers.
The Scores
TALK N TEXT 90—Williams 23, Castro 22, Garcia 13, Semerad 7, Torres 7, Rosario 6, Pogoy 5, Carey 3, Reyes 2, Onwubere 2, Hernandez 0.
KIA 85—McCarthy 21, Corpuz 17, Galanza 9, Camson 8, Yee 7, Khobuntin 6, Lastimosa 5, Escoto 5, Tubid 3, Gabriel 2, Sara 2, Ababou 0.
Quarters: 28-24, 42-29, 69-62, 90-85.