MANILA – TNT KaTropa would have been up 2-0 heading into Game 3 of the 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals tonight against San Miguel Beermen if not for their missed free throws in a close 127-125 Game 2 loss on Wednesday.
The KaTropa were on top 114-112 late in the first overtime of Game 2 when Brian Heruela and Jeth Troy Rosario missed two free throws each. It could have sealed their victory but the match was stretched to a second extension, which was won by the Beermen.
KaTropa head coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena admitted that the close defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. They vowed to work on their free throws ahead of crucial game tonight to break the 1-1 series deadlock.
“Definitely, kahit ‘yung mga little things kailangan hindi mo pabayaan,” Ravena said. “Ganyan talaga.”
“Yung two free throws nila Brian and Troy…if only they made those shots, kahit isa lang nga. But everything happens for a reason,” added the Iloilo City native KaTropa head coach. “Maganda na sana ‘yung nilalaro ni Troy, but only those free throws…”
Rosario scored a career-game of 34 points, including eight triples.
“Lesson learned. What’s next? Wala ka namang magagawa diyan kung anuman ang nangyari. Basta we had our chances, sayang lang. But next game na lang.”/PN
