By MARK REY MONTEJO
Jayson Castro displayed his veteran poise in crunchtime as TNT handed Terrafirma its first loss with pulsating 100-97 triumph in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The 37-year-old Castro proved he still has enough gas on his tank as he registered 23 points built on a 5-of-6 shooting from beyond the arc and also sank two clutch free throws to help the Tropang Giga bounce back from a sorry loss to the Blackwater Bossing more than a week ago and halt the Dyip’s two-game winning streak.
Calvin Oftana and Glen Khobuntin backstopped Castro with 19 points apiece while rookie Henry Galinato put up a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds as TNT improved to 2-1
It was a nipped-and-tucked affair in the opening frame before the Tropang Giga unloaded a furious 13-0 run highlighted by Castro’s booming triple to end the half, 50-41.
TNT’s lead was slowly trimmed down in the opening minutes of the final frame after Holt and Juami Tiongson took command for Dyip’s assault to cut the deficit at 79-78.
Sensing danger, the Tropang Giga immediately retaliated with Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Khobuntin drilling back-to-back triples for some breathing space which they preserved until the final buzzer.
Holt and Tiongson finished with 24 and 21 points, respectively, while Juan Gomez De Liano added 18 in a losing effort.
Meanwhile, Robert Bolick erupted with a career-high 46 points to steer NLEX to a 115-93 demolition of Converge and notch its third win in the 2024 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, March 9, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Bolick made the feat two years after he fired 44 while playing for NorthPort as the Road Warriors nailed their second straight win and handed the FibeXers their fourth loss this conference.
