TNT banked on Jayson Castro’s heroics down the stretch to preserve a 95-92 win over Phoenix Super LPG and take the opener of their PBA Philippine Cup semifinal series at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Castro scored nine of the team’s final 14 points as the Tropang Giga weathered the Fuel Masters’ comeback despite missing ace scorer Matthew Wright to an ankle injury early in the game to gain a headstart in their best-of-five series.
He finished with 20 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals in a performance that was somewhat a return to the Castro of old after spending most of the bubble being efficient despite restricted minutes in a complimentary role.
“We’re glad that Jayson really stepped up tonight,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena. “Yun ang mga kailangan namin sa kanya: execution, making good decisions. We’re just fortunate na na-shoot niya yung mga very important baskets.”
His three-pointer with 1:14 remaining extended TNT’s lead to 90-86 and later grabbed the offensive rebound off a missed three by Simon Enciso to convert a putback that made it 92-88, 26.6 seconds left.
Phoenix got a chance to tie the game after RJ Jazul knocked down a triple and Enciso made just one of two free throws for a 93-91. Jason Perkins got fouled by Ray Parks Jr. with a chance to tie the score but split his charities with 5.3 seconds left to keep TNT up 93-92.
Castro drained two foul shots before Phoenix’s Alex Mallari missed a game-tying three before time expired.
Parks had 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and four steals, RR Pogoy produced 16 points and nine rebounds and Poy Erram produced 15 points and 14 rebounds despite hurting his right elbow and left ankle in the second half.
The Tropang Giga prevailed despite squandering a 54-42 third quarter lead as the Fuel Masters rallied with RJ Jazul filling the shoes left by Wright by hitting 14 in the fourth.
Phoenix was without Wright, who played just seven minutes after injuring his ankle in the first quarter.
Jason Perkins also dealt with a bloody chin but was able to play the rest of the game with a bandage while Calvin Abueva dealt with foul trouble early on before being inserted late.
Jazul finished with 21 points while Perkins added 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Fuel Masters.
The scores:
TNT 95 — Castro 20, Parks 17, Pogoy 16, Erram 15, Reyes 11, Montalbo 6, Rosario 5, Enciso 4, Carey 1, Washington 0.
PHOENIX 92 — Jazul 21, Perkins 15, Abueva 13, Mallari 13, Garcia 12, Heruela 6, Chua 3, Intal 3, Rios 2, Wright 2, Marcelo 2, Reyes 0, Napoles 0.
Quarters: 16-24, 36-37, 67-61, 95-92.