Aurin the hero as gritty TNT pulls rug from under SMB in OT
At A Glance
- Kim Aurin emerged as the unlikely hero in the endgame, burying two back-breaking triples as the undermanned but gritty TNT pulled the rug from under San Miguel, 93-89 in overtime in the PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Kim Aurin emerged as the unlikely hero in the endgame, burying two back-breaking triples as the undermanned but gritty TNT pulled the rug from under San Miguel, 93-89 in overtime in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Saturday, Aug. 1.
With the Tropang 5G missing most of its key players and needing someone to take over in the extra period, Aurin rose to the occasion and sparked a crucial 10-5 finishing kick to pick up its second-straight win and give head coach Chot Reyes a winning birthday celebration.
Aurin was even fouled in his last three point make and while he missed the bonus free throw even had a crucial rebound to further fan the fiery TNT run.
He finished with 22 points built on six triples to go with eight rebounds to step up in the absence of Calvin Oftana, Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy and Jordan Heading who are all out of commission due to their respective injuries.
Import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson also made a good account of himself in his first game back, finishing with 20 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists while Rey Nambatac also chipped in 21.
Poy Erram was also solid in his first game back with 12 points as TNT improved to a 3-2 record while dragging SMB to a 4-2 slate.
Leading by as many as 16 early on, TNT had to overcome a late explosion from George King who towed the Beermen to the overtime and even a 85-83 lead with 62 seconds left in the extra period.
That, however, only set the table to the heroics of Aurin who actually played through a flu in the contest.
King paced SMB with 35 points although he needed 28 attempts while making just nine to reach his output. He also shot 1-of-6 from the four-point territory.
June Mar Fajardo added 14 points, 12 rebounds and two blocks while Marcio Lassiter and Don Trollano had 13 and 12 respectively.