MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga waxed hot in the second half and defeated San Miguel Beermen, 96-81, in the 2021-2022 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mikey Williams drilled seven triples to finish with 30 points, while reinforcement Aaron Fuller added double-double 22 points and 26 rebounds.
The TNT snapped its two-game losing skid to improve to 3-4.
With the score tied at 40-all at the half, the Tropang Giga leaned on outside conversions of Williams and inside baskets from Fuller as they outscored the Beermen, 25-19.
The Beermen kept the match close in the fourth period behind Terrence Romeo but three straight outside hits by Williams widened Tropang Giga’s advantage to 90-75.
June Mar Fajardo led the way with double-double 22 points and 14 rebounds, while Romeo and Vic Manuel added 18 and 15 points, respectively, as the Beermen dropped to 3-3.
Orlando Johnson struggled in his debut as San Miguel Beer’s import. He only shot 3-of-22 on the field to finish with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
In the first game, Magnolia Pambansang Manok Hotshots overcame a double-digit deficit to score a 112-109 triumph over NLEX Road Warriors to stay on top with 5-0 slate.
Down by as much as 14 points, the Hotshots started the fourth quarter with a 15-4 scoring blast behind Andy Mark Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Aris Dionisio to take a 95-94 lead on a free throw by Paul Lee.
Conversions from Lee, Harris and Barroca gave the Hotshots a 110-107 advantage but the Road Warriors cut the lead to 109-110 on an inside hit by JR Quiñahan.
The Road Warriors had a chance to take the lead but Mike Nieto misfired all his three free throws before the Hotshots made it a 112-109 edge on a layup by Harris.
Harris finished with double-double 31 points and 10 rebounds, Lee chipped in 21 markers, while Sangalang and Barroca chipped in 14 and 11 points, respectively, for Magnolia.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 96 — M. Williams 30, Fuller 22, Rosario 9, K. Williams 8, Montalbo 8, Castro 6, Erram 4, Banal 4, Reyes 3, Khobuntin 2, Heruela 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
SAN MIGUEL 81 — Fajardo 22, Romeo 18, Manuel 15, Johnson 12, Perez 6, Tautuaa 5, Lassiter 3, Ross 0, Enciso 0, Brondial 0.
Quarterscores: 22-24, 40-40, 65-59, 96-81./PN
