Game Today
(Panabo, Davao del Norte)
5 p.m. – Alaska vs Star
ANTIPOLO CITY – League leader TNT Katropa went on a shooting spree as it claimed its sixth straight win and kept its unbeaten slate by clipping Phoenix Fuel, 124-117, in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center here.
Syria’s Michael Madanly, the team’s Asian reinforcement, fired 30 points off the bench as he led TNT’s shooting display, especially from three-point territory by going 8-of-13 from the arc.
TNT import Mychal Ammons also had a solid game, collecting 22 points and 18 rebounds. Ranidel de Ocam-po added 17 points, ace guard Jayson Castro had 11 points, and rookie guard Kris Rosales 13 points.
The Texters had a total of 19 three-pointers, including nine in the third period where they turned the game wide open as Madanley nailed three treys, De Ocampo had two, while Ryan Reyes, Larry Fonacier, Castro and Rosales each buried one apiece.
It was 63-60 when TNT unleashed a 25-8 blast capped by a three-pointer from Rosales that gave the Texters a comfortable 20-point advantage, 88-68, entering the fourth quarter.
A three-point basket by the 6-foot-3 Madanly – in his second straight stint in the PBA as import and first with TNT – gave the Texters their biggest lead of the game at 26 points, 103-77, with 7:58 left.
“We shot well especially Mike,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico. “He made shots to break the game open. We know they can score too, so we had a defensive mindset in the second half.”
“We’re just trying to win as many games as we could, we’re trying to maintain concentration in practice and in the game. We want to keep it at a high no matter what’s happening in the game,” added Uichico.
The win improved TNT”s record to 6-0, and more importantly, it clinched for the team a quarterfinal berth. Only the top eight teams will qualify in the next round, while the bottom four will be eliminated automatically.
Scores:
TNT KATROPA 124 – Madanly 30, Ammons 22, De Ocampo 17, Rosales 13, Castro 11, Reyes 7, Fonacier 6, Rosario 5, Tautuaa 5, Carey 3, Williams 3, Nuyles 2, Ababou 0, Rosser 0.
PHOENIX 117 – Phelps 49, Enciso 17, Lee 15, Buenafe 8, Wilson J. 6, Baguio 5, Wilson W. 5, Lanete 4, Caperal 3, Cruz 3, Miranda 2, Pennisi 0, Urbiztondo 0, Torres 0, Borboran 0.
Quarters: 29-24, 52-52, 88-68, 124-117.