TNT KaTropa climbs from 29 down to get overtime win against NLEX

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – The TNT KaTropa wiped out a 29-point deficit as the veteran tandem of Jayson Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo sparked a second half comeback to get a win in overtime, 126-121, against the NLEX Road Warriors in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday, April 7 at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.

Set to snap their streak of 4 winless starts, the Road Warriors exploded for 42 markers in the opening quarter to obtain a comfortable 20-point cushion against their rivals. But the KaTropa made crucial stops in the second half as they climbed from 29 down to go within striking distance down the stretch.

Import Wayne Chism had a chance to secure the game from the stripe, but split his free throws to hand TNT a chance to press the game into overtime at 113-110.

Castro, who finished with a team-high 32 points on 12-of-20 shooting to go with 11 dimes, provided much needed heroics as he sank the game-tying triple for the KaTropa. TNT pulled away in the extra 5 minutes, outscoring NLEX 13-8 to complete a huge comeback win.

“It’s a big lesson for us, but we’ll take the win,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela after the game. “The last 20 minutes of the game, when we started playing defense, that really turned the game around.” 

“I think in the first half, NLEX was really shooting the ball comfortably. The players adjusted, they increased their effort and intensity in the last 20 minutes.” 

De Ocampo added 22 markers and 11 boards off the bench for the KaTropa, while import Donte Greene chipped in a double-double of his own with 26 points and 16 rebounds.

Chism topscored with 35 markers on 14-of-26 shooting and grabbed 21 rebounds in another heartbreaker for NLEX. 

Kevin Alas and Carlo Lastimosa combined for 32 markers for the Road Warriors, who listed a total of 23 turnovers in the match. 

While the KaTropa rise to a 3-1 record, the Road Warriors remain in search of their first Comms Cup win.

Scores: 

TNT (126) – Castro 32, Greene 26, De Ocampo 22, Pogoy 20, Rosario 16, Williams 6, Fonacier 2, Carey 2, Reyes 0, Tamsi 0 

NLEX (121) – Chism 35, Alas 19, Lastimosa 13, Tiongson 10, Camson 7, Khobuntin 7, Al-Hussaini 7, Anthony 6, Taulava 4, Guinto 3, Rios 3, Soyud 2, Baracael 2, Villanueva 2, Lanete 1. – Rappler.com