Game Today
(Ibalong Centrum
for Recreation, Legazpi City)
5 p.m. – Rain or Shine vs Globalport
Mahindra brought down another heavyweight last night in erstwhile unbeaten TNT Katropa as the Enforcer carved out a 107-104 win over the Texters to clinch a breakthrough playoff berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Veteran forward KG Canaleta and sophomore guard LA Revilla delivered the big plays down the stretch that helped the Enforcer improve to 6-2 to take solo second in the standings after TNT which suffered its first setback in seven outings.
Protecting a 90-87 lead, Canaleta and Revilla each drilled in a three-point shot, which sparked Mahindra’s 11-5 run that hiked their lead to 101-92 with 2:09 left in the game.
TNT came within six points after Jayson Castro made two free throws, 98-104.
After forcing a turnover by the Enforcer, the Texters had a chance to move closer but Paolo Taha – obtained by Mahindra prior to the conference – stole an inbound pass intended for Ryan Reyes.
Fouled by Reyes, Taha calmly sank two free throws to make it 106-98 with 18 seconds left in the game.
Mahindra import James White ha 24 points and 10 rebounds to lead Mahindra, while the bench of the Enforcer outscored their TNT counterparts as Taha added 15 points, Canaleta had 13 points, Revilla 12 points and Michael Digregorio contributed 11 points.
With six wins, including impressive victories against Star (100-92) defending champion San Miguel Beer (105-103), Star, Globalport (108-98), Alaska (101-95) and Blackwater (97-88), Mahindra is assured of a spot in the crossover quarterfinal playoffs.