Castro takes over as TNT equalizes series, 2-2

MANILA, Philippines – TNT's Jayson Castro mounted a takeover to bail the KaTropa from the clutches of San Miguel, 102-97, and help even their Finals series two games apiece in Game Four of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

 

Castro, who came off the bench, emptied 10 of his 17 total points at the six-minute mark of the final frame. His first basket in that pivotal period tied the game at 86-all.

 

Yancy de Ocampo drilled a triple to answer Castro's basket, but that was the last time the Beermen would be on the driver's seat.

 

As if they were not struggling enough when it mattered, SMB lost its behemoths June Mar Fajardo and import Charles Rhodes to fouls and ejection, respectively.

 

"It was a hard-fought ball game. Both teams gave their best today. But all we did is to tie the game and make it a best-of-three series," said TNT head coach Nash Racela. 

 

Rhodes, the top scorer for the Beermen with 22 points, was thrown out of the game in the final minute after taking down TNT's Ryan Reyes with an elbow.

 

Five more KaTropa cagers chimed in double digits in the scoring department to keep the game close for the duration of the skirmish.