MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga handed Converge FiberXers its first defeat in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup via a 128-122 beating last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
After being down by as much as nine points at 81-72, the Tropang Giga leaned on five straight points by Negrense Paul Varilla and consecutive hits from Jayson Castro and Mikey Williams to cut the deficit to 93-94.
The Tropang Giga went on with its run at the onset of the fourth quarter with a dunk from Jalen Hudson, back-to-back triples and a layup from Williams for a 103-97 lead.
The FiberXers kept the match close several times with last at 107-109 but the Tropang Giga answered with connections from Hudson and Roger Pogoy to create separation anew at 116-107 with three minutes left.
TNT’s lead went on to its largest at 120-108 on a layup by Kelly Williams but Converge made its last run at 115-121 via back-to-back baskets from Jamaal Franklin and Maverick Ahanmisi.
But a three-point play by Hudson, split free throws by Hudson and Jayson Castro and two more freebies by Pogoy secured the victory for the Tropang Giga.
Hudson finished the game with 56 points, including six three-point conversions, to go with 12 rebounds and four assists as the Tropang Giga notched its second straight win for a 4-1 record.
Mikey Williams added 19 markers, with 11 coming in the fourth, Pogoy contributed 18 points, while Varilla and Castro ended with 12 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
Franklin ended with double-double 47 points and 17 rebounds to go with seven assists, three steals and three blocks as the FiberXers suffered its first defeat in five matches.
Maverick Ahanmisi added 21 markers and eight rebounds, while Abu Tratter and rookie Justin Arana ended with 11 and 10 markers, respectively, for Converge./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 128 – Hudson 56, M. Williams 19, Pogoy 18, Varilla 12, Castro 10, Oftana 5, Chua 3, Khobuntin 3, K. Williams 2, Marcelo 0.
CONVERGE 122 – Franklin 47, Ahanmisi 21, Tratter 11, Arana 10, Racal 9, Stockton 8, Teng 8, Murrell 6, Balanza 2, Guinto 0, Tolomia 0.
Quarterscores: 35-32, 64-65, 93-94, 128-122.
