MANILA – Jayson Castro delivered timely baskets in the endgame as the TNT Tropang Giga pulled off a 98-93 victory over the Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.
Leading by as much as 18 points in the third quarter, the Hotshots threatened to claw their way back in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 83-89 with over three minutes left.
Castro then drilled two free throws and a layup to widen the lead to 93-83 before adding a two-pointer basket with under a minute left to stretch the Tropang Giga’s advantage to 97-88.
The veteran Tropang Giga guard finished with 18 points, including two three-point conversions, to go with seven assists and four rebounds as they secured a quarterfinals seat with their 6-5 win-loss slate.
Kelly Williams led the way with 19 points, Brian Heruela provided spark off-the-bench with 13 points, while Calvin Oftana and Jewel Ponferrada ended with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for TNT.
Andy Mark Barroca top-scored with 22 points, Ian Sangalang added 21 markers, while Aris Dionisio ended with 14 points for the Hotshots, which dropped to a similar 6-5 record.
Meanwhile, Meralco Bolts handed San Miguel Beermen its first defeat with a 95-92 escape on Saturday night at the Batangas City Coliseum. The Bolts secured a playoffs spot with their 6-5 win-loss slate, while the Beermen stayed on top with 10-1.
Leading by as much as 17 points late in the third quarter, the Bolts nearly suffered a meltdown in the fourth quarter as the Beermen cut the deficit to 91-93 on a basket by Jaymar Perez with two minutes left.
The Bolts stretched the advantage to 95-91 on two free throws by Chris Banchero but Beermen struggled with their own free throws with June Mar Fajardo splitting his charities and Perez missing two free throws.
Clifford Hodge led the way with a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds, Allein Maliksi added 19 markers, Chris Newsome contributed 17 points, while Kier John Quinto and Banchero ended up with 12 and 10 points, respectively, for the Bolts./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 98 – Williams 19, Castro 18, Heruela 13, Oftana 12, Ponferrada 10, Pogoy 7, Khobuntin 7, B. Ganuelas-Rosser 4, Montalbo 4, Aurin 2, Galinato 2, Varilla 0, Ebona 0.
MAGNOLIA 93 – Barroca 22, Sangalang 21, Dionisio 14, Dela Rosa 9, Abueva 7, Jalalon 6, Balanza 5, Lee 3, Laput 2, Reavis 2, Tratter 2, Eriobu 0, Mendoza 0.
Quarterscores: 16-14, 47-36, 80-65, 98-93.
