PASAY--TNT used a huge fourth quarter assault to pull away
and frustrate Mahindra, 104-92, snapping their two-game losing skid on
Wednesday at the Cuneta Astrodome in the PBA Philippine Cup.
With an upset ax threatening their way, the KaTropa counted
on its designated shooters in the payoff period to ward off an extended fiasco
in the homestretch of the conference.
Larry Fonacier and Ryan Reyes knocked down three booming
triples midway the fourth to pull TNT away from a dangerous single-point advantage
87-86 to go all the way to 10, 96-86, reaching the dying minutes of the game
before the rest of the troop capped off the bounce back win.
Rookie Roger Pogoy was hailed the MVP of the game after
scoring 16 points on top of four assists and two boards. Second-year forward Troy
Rosario had a solid outing as well, pouring in 18 markers and nine boards.
Gaining confidence from their two-game winning streak, the
Floodbuster looked poised to score a stunner over their counterparts, carrying
the upperhand heading to the halftime break, 57-51.
But a 9-2 blast from the KaTropa to start the second half
changed the complexion of the game as their composure went on full display to
deal the then streaking Floodbuster a bit of a taste of reality.
The win forges TNT on a tie with Blackwater in the fourth spot of the win-loss ladder, carrying a 5-4 card.
Mahindra’s loss meanwhile puts their tourney campaign in
peril, falling to 2-6 tied with NLEX at 10th place.
Box Scores:
TNT 104-Rosario 18, Pogoy 16, Tautuaa 14, Rosales 11, Fonacier 11, Castro 10, Reyes 7, Rosser 7, De Ocampo 7, Golla 2, Carey 1, Williams 0
Mahindra 92-Mallari 19, Paniamogan 10, Yee 10, Revilla 8, Deutchman 7, Celda 7, Escoto 6, Salva 6, Arana 6, Galanza 5, Ballesteros 3, Elorde 3, Eriobu 2, Digregorio 0
Quarterscores: 29-25, 51-57, 82-78, 104-92
TNT 104-Rosario 18, Pogoy 16, Tautuaa 14, Rosales 11, Fonacier 11, Castro 10, Reyes 7, Rosser 7, De Ocampo 7, Golla 2, Carey 1, Williams 0
Mahindra 92-Mallari 19, Paniamogan 10, Yee 10, Revilla 8, Deutchman 7, Celda 7, Escoto 6, Salva 6, Arana 6, Galanza 5, Ballesteros 3, Elorde 3, Eriobu 2, Digregorio 0
Quarterscores: 29-25, 51-57, 82-78, 104-92