MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga stormed back from an 18-point deficit to beat Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 105-100, in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Down by as much as 18 points in the second quarter, the Tropang Giga leaned on the outside shooting of Roger Pogoy and Mikey Williams and attacks by Jalen Hudson to take a 98-94 advantage.
TNT’s lead grew to 102-95 on shots by Justin Chua and Hudson but five straight points by Michael Qualls pulled the Painters to within 100-102 before Williams sealed the win for the Tropang Giga with a three-pointer.
Williams finished with near triple-double numbers of 24 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, while Hudson chipped in double-double 24 points and 14 boards for the Tropang Giga.
Pogoy heated up in the second half to tally 22 points, spiked by six three-point baskets, while Kelly Williams contributed 13 points as the Tropang Giga moved up to a tie in the first spot with 2-0 record.
Qualls ended with double-double 37 points and 17 rebounds, Rey Nambatac added 17 markers, while Norbert Torres and Anton Asistio had 13 and 10 points, respectively, as the Painters dropped to 0-2.
In the first game, Blackwater Bossing wasted their early double-digit lead before escaping with a 108-105 triumph over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters. The Bossing improved to 1-1, while the Fuel Masters dropped to 0-2.
After seeing their lead turn to a 97-98 deficit with over a minute left, the Bossing got back-to-back baskets from Shawn Glover and Jvee Casio and a split free throw by Casio for a 102-98 lead.
The Fuel Masters made its last push at 101-102 after a three-pointer from Tyler Tio, but free throws by Rashawn McCarthy and Baser Amer gave the Bossing a 108-105 edge before Tio missed a potential game-tying triple.
Glover finished with double-double 31 points and 13 rebounds, Amer chipped in 17 markers, Renato Ular tallied double-double 14 points and 11 rebounds, while Yousef Taha also had double-double 10 points and 13 boards for the Bossing./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 105 – Hudson 24, M. Williams 24, Pogoy 22, K. Williams 13, Chua 8, Castro 7, Tungcab 5, Khobuntin 2, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 100 – Qualls 35, Nambatac 17, Torres 13, Asistio 10, Belga 7, Demusis 4, Caracut 3, Norwood 3, Borboran 2, Ildefonso 2, Ponferrada 2, Yap 2, Nieto 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 36-49, 80-84, 105-100
