TNT downs Phoenix in semis opener

CEBU, Philippines —  TNT’s veteran talisman Jasyon Castro sparkled with 20 points, capping his endgame heroics with two free-throw daggers in the final 5.3 seconds of the contest to propel the Tropang Giga to a 95-92 beating of the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters in the opener of their best-of-five PBA Philippine Cup semifinals last night at the AUF Sports Arena in Angeles City, Pampanga.

Castro, who also finished with six rebounds, six assists and two steals in an all-around performance, took matters into his own hands in a crucial five-point swing - hitting a booming 3-pointer and a difficult layup that towed the Tropang Giga from a shaky 87-86 edge to a 92-88 breather with a little over a minute left to play.

PJ Azul answered back with a triple to push the Fuel Masters back to within just a hairline, 91-92, in the last 20 seconds, setting the stage for a down-to-wire finish.

After Simon Enciso split his charities to make it 93-91 for TNT, the Fuel Masters had a chance to knot the count but Jason Perkins made only free throw with only seven seconds left to play.

In the ensuing sequence, the Fuel Masters quickly fouled Castro in a tactical move to buy time.

Castro, however, calmly sank his pressure-packed gift shots to up Tropang Giga’s lead to three, 95-92, with only five ticks left in the contest.

Still, the Fuel Masters had one last opportunity to send the game into overtime but Alex Mallari’s leaning attempt from beyond the arc bounced off the rim as the time expired.