Import-less TnT smothers Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro scattered 19 points in the first half and hit a bailout three-pointer at endgame as import-less Tropang TNT overcame Blackwater, 108-102, for a triumphant start in its title-retention bid in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum last night.

Ranidel de Ocampo made a remarkable return from a long layoff due to back injury and shot 20 points as the Texters bucked the absence of import Ivan Johnson, winning their first game in the mid-season tourney that they won over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters last season.

Moala Tautuaa and Ryan Reyes added 16 apiece as the Texters beat the Elite even with Johnson out on suspension and Troy Rosario still nursing his own injury.

“It’s good we pulled through playing without an import. Credit to the players they fought with great determination,” said Tropang TNT coach Jong Uichico.

“It’s good we won even as we’re still having to adjust on how to defend on the way fouls are called. We’re not complaining on the rules. What I’m saying is we’re still adjusting to it,” Uichico added.

The Texters rode high on the exploits of Castro, De Ocampo, Tautuaa and Reyes as they survived Carlo Lastimosa’s career-best 39-point explosion and the Elite’s searing rally at endgame.

Lastimosa improved his previous career-high of 38, producing the biggest output by a local player in the opening game of an import-flavored tourney since Allan Caidic’s 43 in the 1992 First Conference.

As the Elite charged to within a point, 102-103, entering the final minute, Castro doused cold water on the Blackwater rally on a booming trey off Mike Cortez.

A missed one-hander by Lastimosa then an error by Art dela Cruz sealed Blackwater’s loss.

Blackwater suffered an early setback as starting center JP Erram took a nasty fall after blocking a shot by De Ocampo midway through the first quarter. With the back of his head slamming hard on the floor, Erram spent the rest of the game being observed by their doctor.

Blackwater import Malcolm Rhett failed to make a good impression on his PBA debut, struggling for only 16 markers and seven rebounds against five turnovers in 45:38 minutes of action.

Still, the Elite put up a scare at endgame on the efforts of Lastimosa, Dela Cruz, Cervantes and Rhett.

From a 14-point deficit at 72-86, Lastimosa fired away 14 markers to lead a bristling attack that saw Blackwater threaten at 102-103 with time down to 1:11.

Hardly rattled, Castro took matters into his hands, working on the clock before unleashing a shot from beyond the arc that swished through the net.

Without the benefit of a single practice session with Meralco, Arinze Onuaku made a solid debut with the team, delivering 25 points and 22 rebounds to lead the Bolts to a 90-86 win over the Star Hotshots later in the night.

“I’m sure he’s a tired guy,” said Meralco coach Norman Black of Onuaku who flew in only Tuesday night.

“It’s a whirlwind of a week for us. We brought in Malcolm Thomas who we thought is a good player. But he hurt his knee in practice and we had to find a replacement in four days. We’re fortunate Onuaku is available and willing to fly right away,” Black added.