Texters repel B Pier, gain QF

Hotshots smother elite for joint 4th

MANILA, Philippines – TNT KaTropa blew two huge leads but made a crucial stoppage in the closing seconds to secure a 102-98 win over GlobalPort and gain an automatic quarterfinals entry in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Cuneta Astrodome last night.

 Troy Rosario atoned for an offensive foul with 24.1 seconds to go, by throwing a defensive cover in the next play that forced Stanley Pringle to throw an errant pass. He then nailed two pressure-packed charities off Mick Pennisi’s foul with three seconds to go as the Texters went on to claim the win that gave them a piece of second place with the Phoenix Fuel Masters at 6-4.

The Texters shoot for a twice-to-beat advantage in the quarterfinals in a crucial duel with the San Miguel Beermen in their final game in the elims on Saturday over at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

The Batang Pier rallied from a 16-point deficit in the third and from 19 points down midway through the fourth but fell short of their bid in the end, thus, dropping down to joint seventh with the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 5-5.

After squandering a 75-59 bulge, the Texters regained control on a 17-0 opening roll in the fourth quarter spiked by Jason Castro’s three triples.

From a 75-73 count late in the third, the Tropang Texters actually unleashed a 19-to-nothing run to open another huge lead, 94-73, only to find the never-say-die Batang Pier mount another fierce fightback, charging to within two at 98-100.

But the Texters pulled through on their solid defensive effort on GlobalPort’s crucial possession.

 Earlier, the Star Hotshots clobbered the Blackwater Elite, 111-95, with impeccable outside shooting that produced 16 treys to gain a piece of fourth place.

Allein Maliksi, Jio Jalalon, Paul Lee and Justin Melton all showcased their shooting prowess from the long range, striking hardest in the second and fourth quarters where the Hotshots dealt the Elite severe beating in their 16-point triumph that lifted the team to joint fourth with Alaska Milk and Rain or Shine at 5-4.

The crucial Star victory likewise dashed the playoff hopes of Meralco (3-7), NLEX (2-7) and Mahindra (2-7), leaving six teams in contention for the five remaining quarters berths.