Texters sasagupa sa Bolts sa semis

MANILA, Philippines – Walang nalagas sa Top Four teams na nakakuha ng ‘twice-to-beat’ incentive sa quarterfinals.

Itinakda ng No. 1 TNT Katropa at No. 4 Meralco ang kanilang best-of-five semifinals series matapos patalsi-kin ang No. 8 Phoenix, 136-124, at No. 5 Mahindra, 105-82, sa ka-nilang mga quarterfinals matches sa 2016 PBA Governor’s Cup kagabi sa Ynares Center sa Antipolo City.

Umiskor si playma-ker Jason Castro ng 42 points para banderahan ang Tropang Texters laban sa Fuel Masters.

“We just moved to the next round, that’s what happened today,” sabi ni coach Jong Ui-chico. “We’ll enjoy for a minute then prepare for the next game.”

Kumamada naman si import Allen Durham ng 24 points, 16 boards, at 6 assists para ihatid ang Meralco sa kauna-unahang back-to-back semifinals appearance.

“We thought it was a must-win situation because we knew if we lost, we would give them confidence,” sabi ni one-time PBA Grand Slam champion coach Norman Black.

Niresbakan ng Bolts ang Enforcers, nagtayo ng 15-point lead sa se-cond period, para sa kanilang pagpasok sa semifinals.

Nag-ambag naman si Chris Newsome ng 19 points, habang kumolekta si forward Cliff Hodge ng 14 markers, 7 boards at 3 assists.

Nauwi sa wala ang 6-0 panimula ng Mahindra sa torneo.

Pinamunuan ni import James White ang Enforcers sa kanyang 20 points.

MERALCO 105 - Durham 24, Newsome 19, Hodge 14, Dillinger 12, Amer 7, Alapag 6, Faundo 6, Hugnatan 6, Nabong 5, Caram 2, Chua 2, Guevarra 2, Uyloan 0, Al-Hussaini 0, Buenafe 0.

Mahindra 82 - White 20, Digregorio 14, Guinto 8, Agovida 7, Paniamogan 7, Taha 6, Canaleta 5, Jaime 5, Ballesteros 4, Ramos 3, Revilla 3, Bagat-sing 0, Gallanza 0, Yee 0.

Quarterscores: 18-26; 50-45; 84-61; 105-82.

TNT KATROPA 136 - Castro 42, Madanly 17, De Ocampo 16, Reyes 16, Fonacier 13, Williams 12, Rosales 9, Ammons 7, Rosario 4, Rosser 0, Tautuaa 0.

Phoenix 124 - Phelps 39, Lee 24, Baguio 10, J. Wilson 10, Enciso 9, Lanete 9, Borboran 7, Urbiztondo 5, Hayes 4, Torres 3, Cruz 2, Intal 2, Buenafe 0, Pennisi 0, W. Wilson 0.

Quarterscores: 32-34; 70-67; 107-93; 136-124.