MANILA – Bobby Ray Parks Jr. converted go ahead free throws as TNT KaTropa dethroned Magnolia Hotshots, 98-97, in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 PBA Rookie Draft drained two pressure-packed free throws as the KaTropa completed its fight back from 18 points down to set up a semifinals date with sister team Meralco Bolts.
Prior to that, the KaTropa seemed headed to defeat. It trailed 80-62 late in the third period but Jayson Castro, KJ McDaniels and Jeth Troy Rosario connived on offense as they tied the score at 96-all.
The Hotshots took the upper-hand for the last time at 97-96 on a split free throw by Romeo Travis before Parks surged his team ahead via two free throws on the other end with seven seconds left.
Castro finished the match with 30 points. McDaniels had double-double 25 points and 17 rebounds while Rosario and Ryan Reyes added 12 and 10 for the TNT.
For the dethroned champions Hotshots, Travis posted double-double 32 points and 26 rebounds while Rome dela Rosa contributed 13 markers.
In the first game, NorthPort Batang Pier stays alive in their separate quarterfinals series after a 115-90 rout on the No. 1 ranked NLEX Road Warriors.
The Batang Pier jumped to an early lead behind hits from Michael Qualls and Christian Standhardinger as they widened the advantage to as high as 25 markers in the third quarter.
The Road Warriors showed some life in the fourth quarter to come to as close as 81-95 but Batang Pier pulled away anew behind Qualls and Standhardinger. The lead went up to 115-90.
Qualls tallied double-double 39 points and 18 rebounds, while Christian Standhardinger chipped in 24 markers and 13 boards as the Batang Pier send the quarterfinals series to a do-or-die game on Wednesday./PN
