NLEX spoils Castro’s homecoming, stops 5-game slide in win over TNT

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Carlo Lastimosa and the NLEX Road Warriors arrested a 5-game losing slide with a hard-earned 110-98 victory over the TNT KaTropa in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Saturday, January 7 at the AUF Sports Arena & Cultural Center in Pampanga.

The Road Warriors grabbed just their second win in 7 games, lifting them up one spot above the cellar.

Lastimosa led NLEX with 22 points, 3 rebounds, and 3 assists as NLEX spoiled Jayson Castro’s homecoming, playing in his hometown for the first time in his career. It was a welcome victory, however, for coach Yeng Guiao, who was a former representative of the 1st District of Pampanga.

Sean Anthony finished with a double-double of 13 points and 13 rebounds while Kevin Alas and Eric Camson added 12 points apiece. Bradwyn Guinto added 11 markers and 8 boards.

Castro topscored for TNT with 17 points with 5 rebounds and 7 assists coming off the bench as he spearheaded his team’s comeback from 12 points down in the second half.

But Castro also amassed 7 turnovers as TNT struggled mightily from long range, going 8-of-34 from that distance.

Mo Tautuaa and Kris Rosales were the only other players in double figures with 15 points each as TNT fell to 4-3 record after winning back-to-back games.

Ranidel De Ocampo had just 7 points in under 9 minutes as he suffered a minor ankle sprain in the second quarter. He reportedly tried walking it off in the locker room but did not return to the game. Coach Nash Racela said De Ocampo isn’t expected to miss any games. – Rappler.com