TNT hounds Romeo, takes Game 1 against GlobalPort

MANILA, Philippines – Leaning on a sound defensive strategy to contain PBA top scorer Terrence Romeo and a balanced, well-rounded attack on offense, TNT KaTropa drew first blood by taking Game 1 of their quarterfinal series against the GlobalPort Batang Pier, 109-101, on Saturday, February 4, at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Romeo still scored 28 points and dished out 8 assists, but shot an ineffective 10-of-28 from the field and coughed up 6 turnovers. TNT, meanwhile, had 5 players score in double-figures and converted on 53% of its attempts.

The KaTropa entered the second period trailing by 10, but needed only half the quarter to erase the deficit and took a 5-point lead to the halftime break. They then went on a 13-4 run, started by a 3-pointer by Larry Fonacier.

GlobalPort couldn’t recover from there.

Fonacier had 17 points off the bench, while Jayson Castro scored 20. Mo Tautuaa had 17 points and 9 boards.

Stanley Pringle had 19 points and 5 rebounds for GlobalPort, which needs to win Game 2 in order to force a do-or-die with a trip to the semis on the line.

Scores:

TNT (109): Castro 20, Tautuaa 17, Fonacier 17, Rosario 11, Rosser 10, Rosales 8, Pogoy 6, Reyes 6, Williams 6, de Ocampo 4, Carey 2, Seigle 2, Sumalinog 0, Tamsi 0

GlobalPort (101): Romeo 28, Pringle 19, Pennisi 14, Cortez 8, Canaleta 7, Pessumal 5, Maierhofer 3, Mamaril 2, Semerad 2, Andrada 0, Urbiztondo 0, Paredes 0

Quarter scores: 24-34, 61-56, 86-71, 109-101 – Rappler.com