TNT stops Mahindra on its tracks to snap own skid

MANILA, Philippines — TNT KaTropa halted the Mahindra Floodbuster’s momentum with a 104-92 win in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday, January 18 at the Cuneta Astrodome.

Troy Rosario had 18 points and 9 rebounds while fellow young gun RR Pogoy set a new career-high of 16 points plus 4 assists and 4 steals in a win that stopped TNT’s two-game slide and Mahindra’s back-to-back surge.

Though triumphant, first-year PBA coach Nash Racela still sees the long road ahead for the KaTropa.

“Not so much satisfied if you base it on this game but I see players really finding ways to play together. Just trying to deliver to get a positive outcome for us,” he said when asked if he was happy with what his team showed on Wednesday.

“I know it’s a process but I’m just hoping we’re moving towards the right direction. And it takes a lot of sacrifice, really, from the players, especially the veterans because they got used to longer playing minutes. Now it’s going down. The earlier they accept that the sooner we can move forward.”

Mo Tautuaa had 14 points and 4 rebounds as Kris Rosales and Larry Fonacier chipped in 11 markers each.

Veteran Jayson Castro settled for 10 points on 3-of-10 shots for TNT, which outscored Mahindra in the second half, 53-35, to overturn a 51-57 halftime deficit and grab their fifth win in 9 games.

Alex Mallari paced the Floodbuster with 19 points, 7 rebounds, and 5 assists. Philip Paniamogan and Mark Yee had 10 points apiece for Mahindra, which gave up 19 turnovers and slipped to a 2-6 slate.

Scores:

TNT (104): Rosario 18, Pogoy 16, Tautuaa 14, Rosales 11, Fonacier 11, Castro 10, Reyes 7, Rosser 7, De Ocampo 7, Golla 2, Carey 1, Williams 0.

Mahindra (92): Mallari 19, Paniamogan 10, Yee 10, Revilla 8, Deutchman 7, Celda 7, Escoto 6, Salva 6, Arana 6, Galanza 5, Ballesteros 3, Elorde 3, Eriobu 2, Digregorio 0.

Quarter scores: 29-25, 51-57, 82-78, 104-92.