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MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – Not wanting to play a decider, Ranidel De Ocampo stepped up offensively with 25 points on perfect 10-of-10 free throw shooting to lead TNT KaTropa in an escape of Globalport BatangPier, 95-90, in game 2 of the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Monday, February 6 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT managed to sweep Globalport despite blowing a 20-point lead and march into a best-of-7 semifinals series with defending champion San Miguel Beer starting on Wednesday, February 8.
The KaTropa weathered the combined 41-point output of the BatangPier’s main gunners Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle.
“I lost track of the production of Terrence and Pringle. That was the challenge of coach Franz (Pumaren) to the other players, specificially their second unit. They delivered, and that’s why it was tough for us to defend all angles,” head coach Nash Racela admitted.
“We tried to defend Pringle and Romeo, but we gave up a lot of baskets to the other guys, specifically Quiñahan. That’s a good counter by coach Franz. We tried to be ready for the counters but we weren’t too successful defending that.”
“Good thing our veterans stepped up today, Ranidel (De Ocampo), Jayson (Castro), Kelly (Williams). It’s actually the key for us to win, veterans stepping forward and delivering,” he added.
De Ocampo had offensive support from Mo Tautuaa, who had 14 points with 5 rebounds. Troy Rosario had a double-double of 12 markers and 11 boards as Larry Fonacier and Kelly Williams conspired for 20 points. Williams added 8 rebounds to his name.
Jayson Castro was quiet with just 9 points on 4-of-13 shooting but was productive in facilitating play with his 8 assists on top of 4 rebounds, 3 steals, and a block.
Globalport briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter to complete a rally they mounted to start the second half, breathing down the necks of TNT with the game tied at 87 thanks to JR Quiñahan’s basket with two minutes left to play.
Although it seemed that momentum had shifted to the side of Globalport, De Ocampo gave the lead back to TNT with 4 straight points on free throws and a floater, 91-87, with 1:06 to go.
Quiñahan gave one last ray of hope for Globalport with two charities for the one-point deficit but a Williams putback off RR Pogoy’s missed triple attempt stretched TNT lead’s again. De Ocampo sealed the victory with two more free throws.
Quiñahan tallied 17 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, while Mike Cortez chipped in 10 markers.
The KaTropa will now look ahead to facing the vaunted Beermen, who have dropped only one game the entire eliminations and easily got past the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the quarters.
“SMB will be SMB, they’re a powerhouse team,” Racela relented. “We know that the focal point is June Mar (Fajardo), but the other guys are really playing well for them, so it will be a doubly tough series playing against them.”
“But I think what’s good about this series against Globalport is that guys are starting to play together and I think that gives us confidence going into the semifinals.”
Scores:
– Rappler.com
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