Castro, Rosario back to lift TNT

ANTIPOLO, Philippines — TNT KaTropa came back from a long break rejuvenated and well prepared, turning back Rain or Shine, 100-92, to boost its stock in the Top Five in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Sports Center here last night.

Though barely back with the team, national mainstays Jayson Castro and Troy Rosario showed the way as the KaTropa pulled the key win to catch the San Miguel Beermen at 4-3.

Castro piled up 20 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists in an outstanding all-around performance while Rosario also scored 20 points and added six boards as the KaTropa topped the erstwhile front-running Elasto Painters and relegated them to second place at 7-2 behind the Phoenix Fuel Masters (7-1).

“We practiced hard during the league break, even playing three tune-up matches versus Phoenix, Ginebra and Magnolia. And fortunately, we played a nice game coming from that break,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.

“We want to win each game as much as possible para makahabol sa mga nauuna sa team standings. In practice, as much as possible, we focus on defense as we want to establish consistency in playing tough defense,” Ravena also said.

Against the E-Painters, the KaTropa did well on both ends and closed in on a playoff entry.

Jericho Cruz and Ryan Reyes helped provide firepower from the outside, combining for five three-pointers and a total of 25 points.

Jay Washington, recruited by TNT from Rain or Shine’s unrestricted free-agent pool, debuted with the KaTropa with seven rebounds, six markers, one assist and one steal against one turnover in 16 minutes of action.

Even minus top gun Roger Pogoy, the Texters held their own in a shootout with the E-Painters, with Reyes, Cruz, Castro and Rosario draining at least two triples each.

“Roger is still down as he got sick in their return from Kazakhstan. Actually, Troy and Jayson also got sick but they recovered in time for this game,” said Ravena.

Alaska Milk pounced on a Barangay Ginebra team that came out flat from a long break, pulling off a 104-78 rout to move up to fifth place with a 3-2 slate later in the night.

“I don’t expect that. We were manhandled by Phoenix the last time. Honestly, I expected we would play hard, but I didn’t expect that score,” said Alaska coach Alex Compton.

The scores: 

First Game

TNT 100 – Castro 20, Rosario 20, Cruz 15, Reyes 10, Trollano 7, Washington 6, Taha 6, Heruela 6, Williams 5, Semerad 3, Carey 2.

Rain or Shine 92 – Yap 18, Ahanmisi 14, Daquioag 11, Alejandro 11, Mocon 10, Ponferada 7, Rosales 6, Belga 6, Torres 3, Borboran 2, Maiquez 2, Nambatac 2, Norwood 0, Onwubere 0.

Quarterscores: 23-20, 56-39, 75-65, 100-92

Second Game

Alaska 104 – Enciso 23, Banchero 20, Cruz 12, Exciminiano 12, Ayaay 9, Pascual 8, Thoss 8, Teng 7, Galliguez 5, Andrada 0, Baclao 0. 

Ginebra 78 – Aguilar 17, Thompson 15, Slaughter 15, Tenorio 11, Caguioa 7, Dela Cruz 4, Ferrer 3, Mariano 2, Mercado 2, Devance 2, Caperal 0, Chan 0.

Quarterscores: 27-19, 52-34, 80-63, 104-78