TNT put on a shooting clinic to dismantle struggling Barangay Ginebra San Miguel, 119-92, Friday, Feb. 18 to win its final PBA Governors’ Cup game before the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers.
The Tropang Giga knocked down 21 triples, seven of which came in the third quarter which helped turn the game from a seven-point halftime lead into a lopsided victory held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Mikey Williams had another impressive showing with 26 points, five rebounds and five assists, but it was veteran Ryan Reyes who shone the brightest for TNT with 24 points on 8-of-9 from beyond the arc.
“We shot the lights out and we wish we could shoot like that every night but it just makes the game easier,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
Reyes and company ended the grueling stretch of four games in seven days with a split after winning the last including a 96-81 rout of San Miguel Beer two nights earlier.
Now Reyes and TNT turn their attention on national team duties with the World Cup Qualifiers set Feb. 24 to 28 at the Big Dome.
The core of the TNT squad along with the Gilas pool will comprise the roster for the games against South Korea, India and New Zealand.
TNT improved to 4-4 and will resume its campaign in the season-ending tournament after the qualifiers.
Ginebra absorbed its third straight loss after a 3-0 start, dropping to a tie for eighth spot with San Miguel Beer. Both teams will square off on Sunday.
Import Justin Brownlee had 25 points, nine rebounds and three assists in the Gin Kings’ setback.
The scores:
TNT 119 — Williams M. 26, Reyes 24, Castro 18, Fuller 13, Montalbo 9, Khobuntin 9, Banal 5, Heruela 4, Rosario 4, Marcelo 3, Williams K. 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 2, Cruz 0, Erram 0, Alejandro 0.
GINEBRA 92 — Brownlee 25, Aguilar 18, Standhardinger 16, Thompson 11, Tolentino 9, Tenorio 5, Pinto 4, Chan 2, Caperal 1, Enriquez 1, Ayaay 0.
Quarters: 34-28, 60-53, 94-74, 119-92.