TNT extends win streak to 5-0 after beating Blackwater

MANILA, Philippines – TNT KaTropa continues their unbeaten run in the 2016 PBA Governors’ Cup, rising to a league-leading 5-0 record after crushing the Blackwater Elite, 109-89, on a rainy Saturday, August 13 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Ranidel De Ocampo led the way with 20 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block as TNT bucked a number of uncertainties to keep the ball rolling.

First, they paraded new import Mychal Ammons in lieu of Mario Little. Ammons came out with 18 points, 18 rebounds, and two blocks in his first game.

Uichico said Little is injured and is still in Manila but on the Injured/Reserved list.

“We were rusty at the start, we were trying to feel out Mychal,” admitted head coach Jong Uichico, who managed to avoid the flooded Philippine capital due to the southwest monsoon.

“We weren’t able to really play scrimmage games with Mychal and he was trying to feel us out also. And then our shots went in,” he added as Blackwater took a 43-40 lead at the half.

Troy Rosario finished with 16 points and 13 rebounds while Asian import Michael Madanly added a 15-point, 4-rebound effort off the bench, as TNT exploded for 69 points in the second half to shut down Blackwater.

Also uncertain was Jayson Castro’s participation in the game as he had to take care of his wife the night before. Castro did not play the entire first half but decided to come in by the second half and still had 7 points and 5 assists.

Rookie Mo Tautuaa sat out due to intestinal flu he’s been suffering from for two to 3 days already. He has yet to practice with the team according to Uichico.

Meanwhile, it was a double whammy for Blackwater after they lost key big man JP Erram to an apparent knee injury in the second quarter. Erram, who has been averaging more than 11 points and 6 rebounds so far this conference, was stretchered off and taken to St. Luke’s Medical Center.

By the time his knee buckled, Erram had 9 points and 3 rebounds.

Reil Cervantes topscored for the skidding Elite with 22 points off the bench, while import Eric Dawson had a quiet 13-point, 10-rebound afternoon in over 33 minutes.

Carlo Lastimosa chipped in 12 markers as Blackwater lost its third straight game for a 1-4 record. – Rappler.com