KaTropa escapes Kia

[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]

[av_heading heading=’KaTropa escapes Kia’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=” av-medium-font-size-title=” av-small-font-size-title=” av-mini-font-size-title=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
[/av_heading]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]
February 1, 2018
[/av_textblock]

[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=” av-medium-font-size=” av-small-font-size=” av-mini-font-size=” admin_preview_bg=”]

TNT banks on Garcia endgame shooting, 90-85

MANILA – Ryan Roose Garcia came up with timely baskets in the endgame for TNT KaTropa to escape with a 90-85 win over Kia Picanto in the PBA Philippine Cup at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.

After losing Jayson Castro to injury late in the Wednesday match, TNT relied on Garcia to come up with back-to-back layups to turn a slim 85-83 lead to an 89-83 spread. He also drained a free throw with 10 seconds left in the match to seal the win for KaTropa.

Garcia, a former UAAP MVP awardee, finished with 13 points, five rebounds and one assist for KaTropa (4-3), which moved up to solo third place in the standings.

Kelly Williams led with 23 points and eight rebounds. Castro chipped in with 22 points and nine boards, while Anthony Semerad and Norbert Torres combined for 14 points for KaTropa.

After a slim 42-39 lead at the half, KaTropa built a 52-45 lead early in the third on hits from Williams and Castro. Picanto responded with a run to take a 62-48 edge but KaTropa answered with 9 straight points to regain the advantage 69-62.

KaTropa was able to widen the lead 81-70 on a Castro triple but Picanto had its last run to come to as close as 83-85 before Garcia drilled 5 straight points to propel TNT.

“Kia is unpredictable, which makes it a dangerous opponent,” said KaTropa head coach Nash Racela. “But we just showed our sense of urgency since we came from a loss.”

Rashawn McCarthy led Picanto (1-6) with 21 points, including three 3-point conversions. Jackson Corpuz returned from injury with 17 points, eight rebounds, three steals, and three blocks./PN
[/av_textblock]

[/av_one_full]