SUMMARY
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MANILA, Philippines – TNT squandered a huge lead in regulation but got the job done in overtime to nip NorthPort, 106-101, and clinch the last playoff bonus in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Friday, March 11.
Churning out a team-high 28 points, Mikey Williams caught fire in the extra period with two triples in a 10-0 start that paved the way for the Tropang Giga to end the eliminations with a 7-4 record and nail the No. 3 spot.
With the win, TNT also avoided being relegated to No. 5 and facing a twice-to-beat disadvantage in the quarterfinals.
Although the Batang Pier narrowed the gap to 3 points, 101-104, they shot themselves in the foot with missed buckets and turnovers in the final 40 seconds as the Tropang Giga held on.
Jamel Artis and Arwind Santos both muffed their game-tying triples, while Jamie Malonzo committed a costly traveling violation with 17 seconds left that denied NorthPort another shot at knotting the score.
Ryan Reyes then padded the Tropang Giga lead with a pair of foul shots as a Santos turnover with four ticks remaining dashed all hopes of a Batang Pier comeback.
Aaron Fuller backstopped M. Williams, who also had 7 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals, with 15 points and 20 rebounds, while Jayson Castro fired 15 points off the bench on top of 7 rebounds and 5 assists.
It was also Castro who steadied the ship for TNT amid the NorthPort storm in the second half.
The Tropang Giga entered the break with a 54-39 advantage but collapsed in the third quarter, where they were outscored 18-34 as Robert Bolick gave the Batang Pier a 73-72 lead going into the final quarter.
NorthPort then went up by as many as 4 points, 80-76, only to witness Castro take over by unloading 10 points in a 13-4 run TNT used to seize an 89-84 edge.
That lead, though, eventually vanished as no team emerged victorious in regulation, 90-90, with Poy Erram and Malonzo both clunking their potential game-winning triples in the dying seconds.
Roger Pogoy added 11 points and 4 assists for the Tropang Giga in their fifth straight win, while Kelly Williams chipped in 10 points and 2 steals.
Artis churned out 39 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 2 blocks, and 2 steals in the heartbreaking loss as the Batang Pier missed out on a chance to claim an outright quarterfinal seat and fell to 5-6.
NorthPort, which saw its five-game winning streak halted, can still catch the playoff bus by beating Phoenix in their battle for the last quarterfinals berth on Sunday, March 13.
The Scores
TNT 106 – M. Williams 28, Castro 15, Fuller 15, Pogoy 11, K. Williams 10, Rosario 6, Erram 6, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 5, Reyes 5, Heruela 0.
NorthPort 101 – Artis 39, Bolick 22, Santos 16, Malonzo 13, Balanza 6, Taha 3, Ferrer 2, Rike 0.
Quarters: 29-14, 54-39, 72-73, 90-90 (reg.), 106-101 (OT).
– Rappler.com
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