By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE TNT KaTropa further asserted their standing as a title contender in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup after they sprinted to their third win in a row with a 117-106 victory over the NLEX Road Warriors yesterday to move to a share of the top spot in the standings.
Getting a balanced output anew from their rejigged roster, the KaTropa were able to stave off the resilience of NLEX all game long to book their sixth victory in seven matches to join the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the top of the heap midway into the elimination round of the midseason PBA tournament.
The two fought it tight in the first six minutes of the opening quarter before TNT went on a 23-14 blitz for the remainder of the period to establish a 45-30 advantage after the first 12 minutes of the game.
TNT started the second quarter with a 6-0 run to stretch its lead to 21 points with 8:48 to go on the clock.
But NLEX made sure not to be buried deeper than that as they slowly but surely clawed its way back, with import Arnett Moultrie leading the way.
The Road Warriors were able to reduce their deficit to six points a couple of times, the last one at 60-54 with 49 ticks to go.
TNT though would survive the charge back and stayed ahead, 63-56, at the halftime break.
NLEX continued to put pressure on TNT to start the third frame.
The count stood at 70-all with 7:45 on the clock after which the two teams went back and forth.
Anthony Semerad, Jericho Cruz, Jayson Castro and import Joshua Smith would conspire late to give TNT some breathing space, 89-82, heading into the final quarter.
Sensing that undermanned NLEX was too close for comfort, TNT went down to burly Mr. Smith to start the payoff period.
The KaTropa stretched their lead to 11 points, 93-82, inside the first minute.
NLEX tried to rally back in the next five minutes but TNT kept it at bay.
The score stood at 104-94 with 6:45 left in the game and TNT ahead.
Alex Mallari would drain back-to-back triples for NLEX to make it a four-point game, 108-104, with 3:49 remaining.
But four points were the closest they would get as the KaTropa padded their lead to book the win.
Mr. Smith led TNT with 24 points and 13 rebounds followed by Mr. Semerad with 22 points.
Terrence Romeo finished with 19 points and eight assists.
Mr. Moultrie, meanwhile, paced NLEX with 31 points and 14 boards with Mr. Mallari adding 15 markers.
“We’re happy with the win but credit to NLEX. I know playing without Kiefer [Ravena] is tough but they are adjusting well and other players stepping up,” said winning coach Nash Racela after their win.
“We made some adjustments as our big lead early was erased by NLEX. Good Joshua also stepped up,” he added.
TNT (6-1) next plays on June 13 against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok while NLEX (2-5) returns on June 9 against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings.
Meanwhile, the PBA joined the family, friends and teams of players Jeron Teng and Norbert Torres as well as PBA free agent Thomas Torres for their speedy recovery after absorbing stab wounds in an altercation at the Bonifacio Global City early Sunday morning.
Reports have it that the three players were on their way home when they were confronted by men in a parking lot where the stabbing happened.
The incident is still under investigation, the PBA said.

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