Ginebra falters as "Rani-delightful" leads TNT’s comeback win

PBA

By Jason Espiritu

QUEZON CITY--Played well enough for a team which is expected to have a championship hangover, Ginebra continued to show growth and progress of running Tim Cone’s new hybrid triangle offense system in its Philippine Cup debut.

But the Barangay had a disastrous and turnover-heavy fourth quarter and faltered at the end game, losing 103-108 to the TNT KaTropa at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday night.

Ranidel  de Ocampo played hero for TNT in their fourth quarter comeback against the Kings.

The Kings had a 93-81 lead after a Dave Marcelo short stab early in the fourth.

De Ocampo checked back in and did much of his damage from then on. It was a huge quarter for De Ocampo as he scored 15 of his 22 points and led a 11-0 run charge to close the gap.

RDO also played a decoy role to Kelly Williams’ layup in TNT’s go-ahead basket possession 104-103 with 1:25 left in the game.

The Kings had several chances to take back the lead, but faltered three possessions to try and escape with a debut win. A Japeth Aguilar turnover, LA Tenorio short-ironing a 12 foot jumper, and Joe Devance's potential game-tying three-pointer going way off the mark sealed the fate for them.

TNT rookie Roger Pogoy and vet sharpshooter Larry Fonacier provided crucial free throws to ice the game.

TNT’s 2-2-1 trapping defense was also a big part to help them come back from a 12-point deficit in the fourth.

Tenorio led the Kings with 27 markers. Scottie Thompson had 15 points, eight boards, and five assists.

Pogoy and Fonacier contributed 15 points each to back up De Ocampo. Troy Rosario and Mo Tautuaa each had 12.

Box Scores:

TNT 108-De Ocampo 22, Pogoy 15, Fonacier 15, Tautuaa 12, Rosario 12, Williams 11, Rosser 10, Reyes 8, Carey 3, Hernandez 0, Rosales 0, Sumalinog 0

Ginebra 103-Tenorio 27, Aguilar 15, Devance 15, Thompson 13, Ellis 12, Mercado 7, Marcelo 6, Caguioa 4, Ferrer 3, Mariano 1, Cruz 0, Taha 0

Quarterscores: 34-30, 53-53, 76-87, 108-103

Follow him on Twitter: @EST42890