TNT KaTropa spilled all its milk before refilling its glass just in time.
The Tropang Texters squandered a 23-point lead before Ranidel De Ocampo saved them with a game-winning jumper with six seconds left to take a 122-120 thriller over gritty GlobalPort and get back to their winning ways in the 2016 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After seeing all of its lead vanish, TNT KaTropa banked on its veteran poise as De Ocampo nailed the key go-ahead bucket to put them once again in the winning position.
The Batang Pier had one more chance to either force the game into overtime or snatch the win, but Stanley Pringle turned the ball over with an errant pass, allowing the Tropang Texters to escape what was initially a one-sided game that turned into a nail-biter.
Jayson Castro continued his fine play, leading the way again for the Tropa with a huge 37-point performance, to go with eight assists, while De Ocampo finished with 17 points and seven boards.
The victory allowed TNT to retain its place at the top with an improved 7-1 slate to move closer to a Top 4 finish.
On the other hand, the Batang Pier had their three-game winning streak snapped as they fell from sixth to eighth place in the standings.
TNT coach Jong Uichico described what happened towards the end of the game where his team almost lost a game it was dominating throughout.
“Bumaliktad ‘yung laro. GlobalPort can really score quick especially when Pringle and Terrence Romeo get going,” he said. “Ranidel (De Ocampo) was open in the last play and it’s a good thing for us after falling into a lull. We really needed this win any way, any how.”
Talk ‘N Text led the entire way and held a double-digit lead for most part before GlobalPort pulled the rug under and manufactured a torrid surge at the end of the game to threaten.
The Texters were still ahead by 11, 120-109, after a Castro triple with 3:14 left but the stubborn Batang Pier just won’t go away.
GlobalPort swiftly erected an impressive 11-0 blast capped off by Pringle’s jumper with 41 seconds left to suddenly give itself a chance.
But the final two plays favored TNT KaTropa, allowing it to keep the victory and have a huge sigh of relief.
The Tropang Texters led by 23 points multiple times in the early part of the second period before taking a 70-52 cushion at halftime. Their 70 points in the first half is the most for any team this conference.
Mike Glover took game-high honors with 38 points for the Batang Pier.
The scores:
TNT KATROPA 122 – Castro 37, De Ocampo 17, Fonacier 14, R. Reyes 11, Madanly 10, Williams 8, Ammons 7, Rosales 7, Tautuaa 6, Rosario 5, Carey 0, Rosser 0.
GLOBALPORT 120 – Glover 38, Romeo 33, Pringle 25, Washington 9, Taha 5, Salvacion 3, Semerad 3, Dehesa 2, Yeo 2, Mamaril 0.
Quarters: 35-18, 70-52, 96-86, 122-120
Games Friday
(Smart Araneta Coliseum):
4:15 p.m. – Phoenix vs. Star
7 p.m. – Mahindra vs. Rain or Shine