MANILA – TNT KaTropa turned to its all-Filipino crew as it waylaid the slumping Blackwater Elite, 120-101, and move to a share of the top spot in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Ryan Reyes led the way with 18 points.
Jeth Troy Rosario had double-double 17 points and 11 rebounds while Roger Pogoy contributed 15 markers.
With the win, the KaTropa tied Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on top at 4-1.
The KaTropa opted to play with its local players after sending home ineffective import Jeremy Tyler earlier this week. Its new import, returning Joshua Smith, will not be available until the end of the month.
“It was nice that the locals were really up to the challenge,” said KaTropa head coach Nash Racela. “It’s always nice to get a head start in the conference but we all know it’s how you sustain and how you finish; that’s the most important.”
Holding to a slim 61-59 lead in the third period, the KaTropa went on a huge run behind three-point conversions by Jayson Castro, Jericho Cruz and Anthony Semerad to build an 87-72 lead.
In the fourth quarter, it was the turn of Reyes to hoist triples as the KaTropa surged to its largest lead of the match at 104-82 on inside conversions from Rosario, Pogoy and Alex Nuyles.
John Paul Erram top-scored with 16 points. Rrookie Paul Zamar had 15 markers while Michael Digregorio contributed 14 points for the Elite, which remained win-less in six matches.
In the second game, reinforcement Vernon Macklin ended his PBA career in style as he towed Magnolia Hotshots to a come-from-behind 81-79 victory over Meralco Bolts.
Macklin, who is headed to play in a Chinese league, finished the match with 21 points, including the go-ahead free throws, to go along with 15 rebounds for the Hotshots, which improved to 3-1.
Paul Lee added 20 markers, including four three-point conversions, while Andy Mark Barroca contributed 18 points and five steals for Hotshots, which have won its last three matches.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 120 – Reyes 18, Rosario 17, Pogoy 15, Castro 14, Semerad 14, Romeo 12, Cruz 11, Trollano 7, Taha 5, Carey 4, Nuyles 2, Garcia 1, Golla 0, Paredes 0, Saitanan 0.
BLACKWATER 101 – Erram 16, Zamar 15, Digregorio 14, Palma 12, Famous 11, Belo 11, Cortez 9, Maliksi 6, Sumang 5, Pinto 2, Sena 0, Jose 0.
Quarterscores: 25-20, 52-47, 87-72, 120-101./PN
