MANILA — TNT put one foot on the top seed in the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals after trouncing Star, 115-105, in the main game of the Sunday night doubleheader at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Jayson Castro of Talk ‘N Text makes his move against Kevin Racal of Alaska in their game in the PBA Governors’ Cup late Friday at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City. TNT won, 120-118.
(Rio Deluvio / mb.com.ph)
The KaTropa banked on a 39-point third quarter to repulse the already-eliminated Hotshots and moved to within a win from finally securing first place.
Jayson Castro and Larry Fonacier each chipped in 21 points for TNT, which can seal the top spot in the playoffs with a win against Ginebra at the Alonte Sports Arena in Biñan next week or a loss by the latter against Phoenix on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Joel Wright tallied 27 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and two steals for Star.
In the first game, Meralco survived a fourth quarter rally by Mahindra to take an 86-83 win in another pivotal match.
Durham paced Meralco, which tied its victim at 6-5 and forced a playoff for fourth place, with 34 points, 17 rebounds, one assist, three blocks, and one steal.
White had 27 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, and one steal for Mahindra, which could even drop below the Top 4 depending on how many teams will end up at 6-5.
The top four teams after the eliminations will have a twice-to-beat advantage come the quarterfinals. TNT, Ginebra, and San Miguel already secured the first three quarterfinal bonuses.
Box Scores:
First Game: Meralco 86-Durham 34, Dillinger 12, Newsome 10, Hugnatan 9, Alapag 7, Amer 4, Hodge 3, Uyloan 3, Faundo 2, Nabong 2, Al-Hussaini 0
Mahindra 83-White 27, Ramos 17, Revilla 12, Yee 9, Taha 8, Aguilar 4, Guinto 2, Digregorio 2, Agovida 2, Mandani 0, Webb 0, Galanza 0, Bagatsing 0, Ballesteros 0, De Vera 0
Quarterscores: 25-22, 50-45, 71-62, 86-83
Second Game:TNT 115-Fonacier 21, Castro 21, Tautuaa 16, Ammons 14, Rosario 10, Madanly 10, Williams 9, Rosales 7, Reyes 5, De Ocampo 2, Carey 0, Rosser 0
Star 105-Wright 27, Simon 20, Pingris 17, Barroca 10, Maliksi 9, Garcia 8, Pascual 6, Reavis 4, Mallari 4, Brondial 0, Melton 0
Quarterscores: 27-27, 50-55, 89-83, 115-105.
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