TNT backcourt keys win over GlobalPort in heated game

MANILA, Philippines – TNT's star-studded backcourt came through in the final frame to power KaTropa past GlobalPort, 128-114, in a heated contest, Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

A see-saw pace underscored the second match of the league's first playdate until Roger Pogoy, Jayson Castro and Jericho Cruz combined for a 22-point spurt in the first three minutes of the payoff period.

Terrence Romeo, acquired by TNT from the Batang Pier during the lull leading up to the middle conference, scored six straight points as the game entered the final four minutes. His contribution generated the cushion that the KaTropa retained as the clock expired.

"It's nice we encourage our players to be physical, and not be afraid of the other teams. That's the reason we got some new players, tough players, so that gives us a different kind of identity," said TNT head coach Nash Racela.

But the second-year PBA tactician was quick to point out of the unnecessary motions off the players from both camps.

"It's nice that the PBA is allowing some level of physicality but if it gets to a point where players intentionally hurt each other, we should all question that," he said. "I think there were some unnecessary actions in some possessions that I think the commissioner has to look at so we and the fans will be able to enjoy the game more."

Castro, Pogoy and Cruz accounted for 29 points all in the final frame where TNT mounted its most blistering of runs.

TNT import Jeremy Tyler and his counterpart in GlobalPort Malcolm White figured in multiple altercations. Moala Tautuaa, who figured in that trade for Romeo, also had some heated exchanges with the KaTropa foreign reinforcement and Jessie Saitanan.

Romeo, who is widely regarded as one of the league's superstar guards, struggled from the field. He finished with 11 points on a 4-for-11 shooting clip and had five turnovers.

"It's acceptable. Again, this is just Terrence's fourth game I think coming from semi-retirement, 'di ba? He was out for a full conference. So obviously if you really look at him, he's not yet in good playing shape, his timing is kinda off. But he did what we expected him to do in this game," Racela said of his new star player.

Sean Anthony, GlobalPort's steady hand over the course of the previous conference, scored 32 in the first three period but fired blanks just when his team needed him the most.

Stanley Pringle, known for his high-scoring and backcourt partnership with Romeo in the past, only had 14 points.

GlobalPort was able to wrest the lead from TNT in the third, after trailing by as many as 21 points in the second. They weren't able to replicated that game plan, though, when tempers started to flare and when TNT started building on their lead.

The scores:

TNT 128 - Castro 21, Pogoy 20, Cruz 16, Tyler 14, Reyes 13, Romeo 11, Trollano 11, Rosario 8, Paredes 5, Golla 3, Carey 3, Saitanan 3, Garcia 0.

GLOBALPORT 114 - Anthony 34, White 27, Pringle 14, Elorde 10, Tautuaa 10, Nabong 9, Grey 8, Juico 2, Teng 0, Arana 0, Viernes 0, Guinto 0, Gabayni 0, Sargent 0.