MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga leaned on the fourth-quarter exploits of Jeth Troy Rosario to pummel Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 84-80, in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup last night at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City.
With a 77-70 deficit midway in the fourth quarter, Rosario drilled eight straight points to surge the Tropang Giga ahead. A fast-break layup by Roger Pogoy increased the gap to 80-77, but Fuel Masters knotted the score at 80-80 behind a three-pointer by RJ Jazul.
However, Rosario surged the Tropang Giga ahead anew at 82-80 on a layup with over a minute remaining.
Phoenix got a chance to force overtime, but Jason Perkins misfired his layup try in the final 18 seconds, forcing Kib Montalbo to drop two free throws and seal the victory for TNT.
Rosario top-scored with 15 points, 10 from the fourth quarter, while Pogoy and Jayson Castro added 13 and 10 markers, respectively, for the undefeated Tropang Giga.
In the first game, Gabe Norwood sparked Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ uprising in the fourth quarter as they score an 83-77 victory over Terrafirma Dyip and snap their two-game losing skid.
Trailing by 15 points in the opening half, the Painters rallied behind Rey Nambatac and Adrian Wong in the third canto to post a 68-67 lead on Norwood’s two free throws. Norwood, Mark Borboran, Javee Mocon, and Wong went into a scoring spree as the Painters build its largest lead of 82-69 with over two minutes left.
Nambatac carved out 17 points, while Norwood and Wong got 15 points each for the Painters as it climbed to 4-2 slate. Juan Miguel Tiongson tallied 20 points for the Dyip as it fell to a 0-4 win-loss record.
On Saturday night, Meralco Bolts (4-1) notched its second consecutive win after taking down Alaska Aces (2-3), 89-80. Nard John Pinto led the Bolts with 16 points, while Alvin Pasaol added 13 points, with 11 coming in the fourth quarter.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 84 – Rosario 15, Pogoy 13, Castro 10, Khobuntin 9, M. Williams 9, K. Williams 8, Marcelo 6, Montalbo 5, Exciminiano 3, Alejandro 3, Erram 3, Heruela 0, Washington 0.
PHOENIX 80 – Wright 15, Perkins 14, Manuel 13, Banchero 12, Melecio 11, Jazul 6, Pascual 3, Chua 2, Demusis 2, Rios 2, Garcia 0.
QUARTERSCORES:
17-26, 40-45, 60-63, 84-80./PN
