KaTropa, Bolts break 1-1 tie

MANILA, Philippines — Meralco Bolts and TNT KaTropa dispute control in a PBA Governors Cup best-of-five semifinal series that’s become a first-to-get-two contest after they went tit for tat in their initial two clashes.

The protagonists are back to square one after the Bolts dismantled the KaTropa,114-94, for an emphatic payback against the latter’s 103-94 conquest in the series opener.

“Crucial game as a win gives you the edge going into Game 4,” said Meralco coach Norman Black ahead of the all-important third tussle tonight at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

“We are expecting a strong bounceback from TNT and we understand we must be ready to follow up on our performance in Game 2,” he added.

A strong bounceback is exactly what the KaTropa have in mind.

“Next game, we have to be ready, play like we played in the first game or even stronger,” said TNT mentor Bong Ravena, whose wards were a juggernaut in Game 1 but couldn’t get on track after getting hit by a 16-0 salvo by Meralco in the first quarter of Game 2.

“We have to really, really start strong on Thursday. That’s it,” said Ravena.

Against the defensive savvy Bolts in the second outing, TNT relied heavily on KJ McDaniels, who delivered 51 big points with top locals RR Pogoy completely shut down and Jayson Castro held to just seven points.

“Somehow and some way, we have to  try to find a way to slow McDaniels who has been very productive in the series,” said Black.

Allen Durham dropped a triple-double performance of 44-19-11 in Meralco’s tying victory and got needed support from Baser Amer (20), Bong Quinto (12) and Chris Newsome (11).

“Game 1 wasn’t Meralco basketball and we didn’t come out with intensity on defense. Offensively, we didn’t have the rhythm. We had all of that in Game 2. All of eliminations, we’re one of the top teams in assists and we veered away from that in Game 1. It was a lot better (in Game 2). We moved the ball and everybody got a feel for the game and we played a lot better,” said Durham.

For McDaniels, it all about tightening the defensive clamps again.

“We got to play defense, got to make them miss shots instead of hoping they’ll miss. We have to get better. That’s all we can do, take this loss, get better  and come better prepared next game,” said the explosive TNT import.