Oct 18, 2019

KaTropa escape past Aces, near twice-to-beat incentive

ANTIPOLO -- KJ McDaniels followed up a 51-point game with a 37-point job spiked by big plays in the clutch as TNT KaTropa kept their unbeaten run with a 99-93 clipping of Alaska Milk in the PBA Governors Cup at the Ynares Sports Center here Friday.

McDaniel went strong to the basket to send the game into overtime, and the highly touted TNT import himself starred in their run in the extension play on the way to a seventh win in as many games in the season-ending tourney.

MJ Ayaay had a chance to win the game for Alaska in the closing seconds in regulations but saw his wide-open layup go in and out, and the game went into OT at 89-89.

McDaniel scored right away in the extra period and the KaTropa held on to deal the Aces a sixth loss against a lone win.

As usual, Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario and RR Pogoy provided McDaniels the needed support as the KaTropa preserved their clean slate and boosted their bid for a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinals.

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Meanwhile, the Aces failed to follow up their win over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters the last time out and dropped back to the cellar.

Rosario struck the Aces with a big blow when he hauled down a crucial offensive rebound following a missed trey by Castro and drained a short stab that made it 97-93 with time down to 54 seconds.

After Alaska missed its next offensive thrust, McDaniels drew a foul and canned the two gift shots that finally settled the outcome of the game.

McDaniels also collected 13 rebounds, six blocks, five assists and three steals to go with his 37 markers. Franko House's answer was just a statsline of 16 points, 13 rebounds and three assists against eight turnovers.

Still, the Aces pushed the KaTropa to the limit on solid games of guards Jvee Casio, Chris Banchero and Simon Enciso.

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Casio piled up 16 markers, four assists and three boards in 24 minutes of action off the bench.

Banchero added 13 points, including the highlight baskets in a 9-2 roll that sent Alaska ahead at 89-87 with 9.6 seconds left in regulations.

But McDaniels saved TNT from imminent defeat then turned the game around in OT. (SB)

The scores:

TNT 99 - McDaniels 37, Rosario 23, Pogoy 12, Castro 8, Trollano 8, Heruela 3, De Leon 2, Taha 0, Carey 0, Vosotros 0.

Alaska 93 - House 16, Casio 16, Banchero 13, Enciso 12, Ayaay 9, Teng 8, Tratter 7, Racal 5, Manue 4, Galliguez 3, Thoss 0.

Quarterscores: 24-25, 51-47, 70-67, 89-89, 99-93.