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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Castro drops 26 as TNT clamps down on mighty SMB to even series

Castro drops 26 as TNT clamps down on mighty SMB to even series

Published Aug 28, 2022 08:47 pm

Jayson Castro took charge on the offensive end while the rest of TNT showed its defensive teeth to take down San Miguel Beer, 100-87, in Game 4 in their best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup Finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, Aug. 28.

Jayson Castro (PBA Images)

Castro turned back the hands of time anew and weaved his magic to spearhead an uber-efficient Tropang Giga offense which only had three turnovers throughout the contest – the lowest in a game in the league history – while making the Beermen bleed for their points en route to the crucial victory that reset the series on equal footing, 2-2.

TNT always looked a step ahead of SMB on both ends of the floor, limiting SMB to just nine points in the opening frame – the lowest first quarter output in the Finals since the Beermen scored just eight in the 2015 Philippine Cup Finals against Alaska.

Castro, who seemed to have rediscovered his signature blinding speed, punctured through SMB defense and finished with game-high 26 points on top of six rebounds and four assists while RR Pogoy scored his fourth-straight 20-point output in the Finals after finishing with 21 points

Mikey Williams who also went on to work early and scored eight of TNT’s 18 first quarter points and finished with 15 while Kelly Williams had 14 and seven rebounds and also kept a body in front of PH Cup Best Player of the Conference June Mar Fajardo.

"The turnovers were very key for us, we had a lot of turnovers last game, 24 turnovers so that's number one to our list heading to this game. We're quite happy by the way the players responded and took care of the ball," said TNT assistant coach Sandy Arespacochaga who took over the winner's post-game press conference in lieu of head coach Chot Reyes who had to leave early and rush to the Gilas practice.

"We felt everybody stepped up on D. Kelly has the biggest load against June Mar in every game but a lot of players helped in that regard, pressuring the guards and offering help when needed. Team effort on both ends of the floor," he added.

Fajardo shrugged off the so-called BPC jynx as he came a rebound shy from a back-to-back 20-20 game with 20 points and 19 rebounds while Simon Enciso, who kept the Beermen afloat during a horrendous first half that saw them trail by as many as 18 points, provided support with 15 points in a losing effort.

SMB showed some fight in the third quarter where they went on a 10-2 spree to open the second half and come within one, 45-44. The Beermen eventually got their first taste of the lead since 2-0 after an Enciso layup that gave them a 54-53 advantage.

The lead however proved to be shortlived as TNT, behind Castro, went on a 19-9 finishing kick in the third frame to reestablish a 72-63 lead heading into the fourth.

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