The TNT Katropa punched the last ticket to the 2018 PBA Philippine Cup playoffs with a 118-97 victory over the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Sunday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
For the Katropa, it was the second step in an uphill battle as surviving their first two do-or-die games leaves them needing two more to reach the semifinals. It also puts them smack in the middle of the San Miguel Beermen's path on their quest for an unprecedented fourth straight Philippine Cup title.
The difference for TNT came down to the fact that they had Jayson Castro and the Fuel Masters did not have anyone who could keep up.
Castro was the Player of the Game after finishing with 17 points, eight rebounds, and nine assists in the contesting while shooting an efficient 7-of-10 from the field.
"Coach Nash (Racela) just told us to be aggressive. Now at least we still have a chance against San Miguel," said Castro. "We need to keep our focus and make sure we involve all of those on the floor."
The Blur spearheaded a big third quarter that turned a tight game into a blowout.
Up 54-49 at the half, TNT banked on Castro to start the second half on a good note as he went on an 8-0 run by himself. After Jeff Chan finally replied with a three for the Fuel Masters' first basket of the third canto, Castro assisted on a three from Ryan Reyes on the next possession as TNT led by 13, 65-52.
After The Blur provided the spark, the rest of his teammates followed suit as they heated up from downtown, connecting on 6-of-10 from deep and outscoring the Fuel Masters 40-27 in the third.
Phoenix could not put up a fight in the fourth as TNT led by as much as 29 points, 112-83, courtesy of an RR Garcia basket.
"The important thing is we're still alive. As long as you're alive, there's always a chance and we'll have a day to prepare for San Miguel," Racela said in the post-game press conference.
"Today, I think we got better with Jayson coming off the bench. He put the pressure on Phoenix when he entered the game and that's the best thing for us," Racela added as TNT bench outscored their Phoenix counterparts, 61-41.
Matthew Wright led the fight for the Fuel Masters with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists. Doug Kramer was their second leading scorer as he finished with a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds.
THE SCORES
TNT 118 - Rosario 18, Cruz 17, Castro 17, Pogoy 15, Semerad 12, Williams 11, Tautuaa 10, Reyes 5, Tamsi 4, Garcia 4, Paredes 3, Nuyles 2, Golla 0, Carey 0, Torres 0.
PHOENIX 97 - Wright 18, Kramer 16, Alolino 13, Jazul 11, Perkins 10, Chan 9, Mendoza 7, Eriobu 5, Intal 4, Wilson 2, Guevarra 2, Dehesa 0, Cortes 0, Gamboa 0.
Quarterscores: 27-25, 54-49, 94-76, 118-97.
EXTRA DRIBBLES
Troy Rosario was not able to finish TNT's last game against Phoenix because that was the same game when he suffered a grotesque head injury. He bounced back in a big way with 18 points and four rebounds.
Sensing that Phoenix was in no place to overcome their huge deficit, TNT pulled their starters out in the fourth quarter to preserve their legs as they'll see action again on Tuesday.
TNT also continued their streak of making it into the PBA playoffs with this being their seventh straight entry.
NEXT GAME
TNT - March 6 vs San Miguel Beermen at the Mall of Asia Arena