MANILA, Philippines – TNT banked on a balanced scoring attack to pick apart Columbian, 123-95, and claim a share of the lead in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, June 1. 

Six players breached double figures as the KaTropa improved to 5-1 to tie the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at the top of the standings.

Troy Rosario finished with 21 points, 3 rebounds and two assists in just 19 minutes while Terrence Romeo chalked up 19 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists and two steals for TNT.

Jericho Cruz chipped in 17 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds and import Joshua Smith, Kelly Williams and Don Trollano added 11 points apiece in the win.  

Following a 2-2 tie in the maiden period, the KaTropa went on a 12-0 blitz for a 14-2 advantage. They kept their foot on the pedal and led by as much as 40 points, 117-77, midway through the 4th quarter.

“We were able to dictate the tempo of the game in the first, it really helped us down the line. We just needed to manage the rest of the game,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela.

TNT shot the lights out all game long with an impressive 54% clip from the field thanks to its 35 assists while clamping down on the Dyip, who shot a decent 34%. 

John Bailey Fields frolicked in the paint with 34 points and 20 rebounds only to see his effort go down the drain as the Dyip slipped to 3-4. 

Ronald Tubid and Eric Camson were the only other Columbian players in double figures with 13 and 11 points, respectively. 

The Scores:

TNT (123): Rosario 21, Romeo 19, Cruz 17, Trollano 11, Williams 11, Smith 11, Carey 9, Garcia 7, Semerad 7, Pogoy 6, Golla 2, Reyes 1, Castro 1, Nuyles 0, Paredes 0, Saitanan 0

Columbian (95): Fields 34, Tubid 13, Camson 11, Lastimosa 9, Gabriel 6, Khobuntin 6, McCarthy 5, Cabrera 3, Ababou 3, Celda 2, Sara 2, King 1, Corpuz 0, Cahilig 0, Escoto 0

Quarter scores: 36-17; 72-40; 98-65; 123-95

– Rappler.com