METHODICALLY imposing its will, TNT KaTropa stamped its class and led from start to finish to rout skidding Meralco, 99-81, for its second straight win in the 2018 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City last night.
Troy Rosario had a fantastic showing, scoring a game-high 22 points, including six triples and 10 rebounds for a double-double to spearhead TNT’s charge.
The Tropang Texters made the three-point shot their main weapon in this contest, converting a whopping total of 18 makes from downtown.
Right from the get-go, TNT KaTropa seized command as it zoomed to a double-digit lead right away, starting the game with a 13-1 surge off the bat, thanks to three booming triples from Rosario.
“Maganda ‘yung naging start namin, nakuha namin agad ‘yung rhythm and na-keep namin for the game,” said Rosario, who was all over the place.
He set the tone as three-point shooting proved to be the decisive factor with the Texters breezing through for most part and keeping their double-digit lead intact until the game was decided.
The Tropang Texters enjoyed their first winning streak of the season as they improved to 3-2 to remain in fourth place.
The slump continued for Meralco as it has now dropped three games in a row, sliding to 1-3 near the bottom.
The Bolts were unable to impose a serious threat as the Texters had all the answers for their every attempted run.
Meralco briefly had some good moments when it trimmed its deficit to single-digit several times early in the third, but that proved to be its best shot as TNT stayed disciplined and quickly restored its double-digit barrier for good.
The Tropang Texters grew their biggest lead to 22 points, 92-70, with 4:31 left after a triple from RR Garcia.
Garcia also had a nice game, scoring 18 points, while Roger Pogoy added 15 more markers for TNT KaTropa.
Meralco was led by Jared Dillinger with 14 points in another losing cause.
The scores:
TNT 99 – Rosario 22, Garcia 18, Pogoy 15, Castro 12, Reyes 10, Semerad 10, Hernandez 3, Carey 3, Williams 2, Torres 2, Tautuaa 2, Onwubere 0, Golla 0.
Meralco 81 – Amer 20, Dillinger 14, Canaleta 11, Tolomia 8, Newsome 6, Lanete 5, Hugnatan 4, Bono 4, Ballesteros 3, Faundo 3, Baracael 2, Sedurifa 1, Salva 0, Caram 0.
Quarters: 27-18, 46-36, 73-62, 99-81.
