TNT looks to create further separation against Meralco
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
TOOK an early 1-0 lead in their best-of-five Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinal pairing, the TNT KaTropa look to create further distance with the Meralco Bolts in Game Two of their joust at 7 p.m. today at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Led by import KJ McDaniels, the KaTropa, the third-seeded team in the playoffs of the season-ending PBA tournament, found themselves in a battle with the number two team Bolts in the series opener but hung tough in the end in extricating for the 103-94 victory and the early series cushion.
Mr. McDaniels finished with a game-high 38 points, to go along with 14 rebounds, three assists and three blocks.
The two teams stood toe-to-toe in the opening quarter before Mr. McDaniels started to make his presence felt.
After trailing, 25-22, in the first canto of the match on Sunday, the KaTropa outscored the Bolts, 55-36, in the next two quarters to build a 16-point separation, 77-61, heading into the final frame.
In the payoff quarter, Meralco, on the lead of import Allen Durham, tried to rally back.
It came to within eight points, 97-89, with 1:37 left in the game, but that was the closest it could get at that point as Mr. McDaniels and the rest of TNT went for the closeout after.
Jayson Castro backstopped their import with a near-triple double of 17 points, eight rebounds and seven assists, with four steals to boot.
Roger Pogoy came back from back injury to help the KaTropa with 18 points with Ray Parks, Jr. and Troy Rosario adding 11 points each.
Mr. Durham, meanwhile, paced Meralco with 32 points and 21 rebounds.
Allein Maliksi came off the bench to score 15 points while Chris Newsome had 14.
Recognizing that the series still has a long way to go, TNT coach Bong Ravena said that while they take the win, they are not getting ahead of themselves.
“We’re happy we won Game One because it’s an important part of any series. But there is nothing to celebrate yet as the series is still a long one,” said Mr. Ravena.
The TNT coach then underscored the need for them to find ways to limit the impact of Mr. Durham, who he described as a difference maker, especially if allowed to do his thing.
