Top-seeded TNT secures their semifinals spot

FILE: “Semis Bound! 104 – 93 in favor of the TNT KaTropa! Best Player: Troy Rosario with 20 points and 7 rebounds #PBACommsCUp #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

In the second quarter, the KaTropa was struggling with a 15-point deficit, but it was Terrence Jones who redeemed his team and hit a near triple-double throughout the entire match at 37 points, 22 rebounds, and nine assists. Player of the Game Troy Rosario contributed 20, while Jayson Castro chipped 17. Don Trollano and RR Pogoy also did not disappoint with 14 and 12 points respectively.

For Alaska, it was Simon Encisco who was hot on scoring as he contributed 24 points – 15 alone from the first half where he hit all five of his shots beyond the arch. Import Diamon Simpson added a double-double of 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Chris Banchero and Vic Manuel provided 14 and 10 points respectively.

TNT head coach Bong Ravena stated, “Good thing we were able to come back. We had to play harder than last game, make up our mind on defense, and execute on offense. Good thing it came out in the game,” referring to their 36-point loss against eighth-seeded Alaska. He added, “We refused to give up even though we were down (by 15 points).”

Now, TNT is set to face the Barangay Ginebra Kings for the best-of-five semifinal series that begins on Friday, July 26 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.