TNT blasts Meralco to open semis series

KJ McDaniels came close to a 40-point outing for the KaTropa. PBA Media Group
By Ivan Saldajeno

STA. ROSA, Laguna--TNT came out solid on both ends of the hardwood of the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City in the middle two quarters to pummel Meralco, 103-94, in Game 1 of their PBA Governors' Cup semifinals series on Sunday night.

After letting the Bolts take a 25-22 lead after the first quarter, the KaTropa held them to just 16 points in the second quarter before dropping 30 in the third to pull away for good.

KJ McDaniels made 38 points, 14 rebounds, three assists, one steal, and three blocks for TNT, which took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-five series despite only having six scorers all game long.

RR Pogoy added 18 points, two rebounds, one assist, and two steals, while Jayson Castro came close to a triple-double with 17 points, eight rebounds, and seven assists with four steals and one block.

Allen Durham made 32 markers, 21 boards, three dimes, and one steal for Meralco.

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