TNT KaTropa spoiled the Blackwater Elite’s franchise-best win streak after cruising to a 117-96 win in the Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Import Glen Rice Jr. finished with 31 points, six rebounds, four assists and seven steals as he led TNT’s dismantling of Blackwater which was sent crashing back to earth after the end of its three-game win streak.
Kelly Williams also put up a vintage performance, scoring 21 points including some highlight-reel dunks.
TNT zoomed to a 20-8 lead behind its hot shooting early in the game as KaTropa made all of its first four three-pointers in the opening minutes.
Blackwater quickly managed to cut the deficit to just one, 24-23, after the Elite finally found their rhythm on offense.
But after a long break early in the second frame due to technical difficulties, TNT went on a rampage. KaTropa scored eight unanswered points to begin the period where they simply outclassed the Elite in scoring, 34-15.
TNT already built a 62-40 cushion at the half and never looked back to pick up its second straight win and improve to 4-2.
Henry Walker scored 33 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Elite (3-4) who lost for the first time since having the former NBA player as their import.
The scores:
TNT 117 – Rice Jr. 31, Williams 21, Castro 11, Lingganay 10, Tautuaa 9, Reyes 8, Pogoy 8, De Ocampo 7, Carey 6, Rosario 3, Semerad 3, Golla 0, Nuyles 0, Hernandez 0.
BLACKWATER 96 – Walker 33, Erram 18, Digregorio 12, Sumang 8, Belo 7, Canaleta 6, Cruz 4, Pinto 4, Gamalinda 2, Pascual 2, Miranda 0, Sena 0.
Quarters: 28-25, 62-40, 92-71, 117-96.
