TNT dispatches GlobalPort to win fifth straight

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED)－ The TNT KaTropa listed their fifth straight victory in the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the expense of the struggling GlobalPort Batang Pier, 109-88, on Friday, April 21 at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Apart from commanding the paint, the KaTropa also capitalized on GlobalPort’s 20 costly turnovers to slowly pull away with a 22-point cushion in the second half. 

Donte Greene topscored for the now 5-1 KaTropa after registering a game-high 33 markers to go with 10 boards. 

Veteran Jayson Castro missed 3 of his 9 attempts to establish a solid 15-point performance, while Larry Fonacier and RR Pogoy added 12 and 10, respectively. 

Ranidel de Ocampo had 14 of the KaTropa’s 40-point bench production, as he alone outscored the Batang Pier’s stringers who had 13 on the board.

“I think we just were able to take advantage of the long break,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela after the game. “I think we were able to have really good practices.”

“I think our defense was pretty decent tonight, more so doon sa import nila (more so on their import). And of course, they shot well today, that really helped us.” 

Malcolm White led all GlobalPort scorers with 21 points, at the same time grabbed 16 rebounds and 3 block shots. Terrence Romeo meanwhile delivered 20 points, 5 boards and 4 dimes.

GlobalPort has now dropped 5 of its last 6 games in the midseason conference. 

Scores: 

TNT (109) – Greene 33, Castro 15, De Ocampo 14, Fonacier 12, Pogoy 10, Tautuaa 7, Williams 6, Rosario 5, Reyes 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Rosales 2, Tamsi 0, Hernandez 0, Carey 0, Golla 0 

GlobalPort (88) – White 21, Romeo 20, Quinahan 19, Pringle 15, Pessumal 5, Cortez 4, Forrester 3, Mamaril 1, Maierhofer 0, Paredes 0, Aban 0, Pennisi 0, Ababou 0

Quarter scores: 27-22, 56-49, 77-65, 109-88

－Rappler.com