MANILA – Magnolia Hotshots send TNT KaTropa to its third straight defeat in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 100-93 beating last night at the University of Southeastern Philippines Gym in Davao City.
Romeo Travis tallied double-double 21 points and 13 rebounds, while Chris Banchero and Paul Lee added 13 points each.
With the victory, the defending champions Hotshots moved up to 6-5.
It got its offense going early behind Travis, Banchero and Rome dela Rosa for a 25-15 edge but the KaTropa answered with a run to trim the deficit to 22-27.
The Hotshots widened the advantage to 49-28 midway in the second period after hits from Andy Mark Barroca and Aldrech Ramos. However, late hits from the KaTropa trimmed the deficit to 41-56 at the half.
TNT continued its run at the onset of the third period to come to within 13 points. Magnolia had a quick response for its biggest lead at 94-71 on a basket by Ian Sangalang.
The KaTropa made its last push by trimming the deficit to 88-96 late in the fourth quarter. A basket by Travis, however, followed by free throws from Lee iced the win for the Hotshots.
Meanwhile, as the KaTropa slumped to 7-3, KJ McDaniels finished with 33 points and 15 rebounds, while Bobby Ray Parks Jr. and Roger Pogoy added 21 and 13 markers./PN
