Losing the game at the finish the last time, TNT KaTropa was wiser and smarter this time.
The KaTropa turned the tables on the San Miguel Beermen Monday night, winning the battle at endgame for a 93-88 triumph that forged a rubber in their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Troy Rosario and Jayson Castro delivered the biggest buckets as the KaTropa avoided the fate they suffered in their sorry 78-80 downfall in Game One.
"We played harder than the last time. Hopefully, yung intensity at energy namin pareho pa rin or more on Wednesday," said TNT coach Bong Ravena.
On Saturday, the KaTropa set the pace most of the way only to fold up at the finish.
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In Game Two, TNT dictated the tempo almost throughout again then once again faced a searing SMB surge at the finish.
The Beermen erased an 11-point deficit and pulled even at 86-all entering the final minute of the match.
But the KaTropa refused to blink this time.
A booming three-pointer by Rosario then a twinner by Castro on a sleek attack to the basket had TNT regaining control at 91-86 with time down to 29.2 seconds.
"San Miguel played really well, buti na lang we made our shots, pumasok yong mga outside shots namin; last time hindi," said Ravena.
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"But we're just lucky and we just tied the series. There's nothing to celebrate. What we achieved tonight was our goal to stay in the series," Ravena also said.
Roger Pogoy, Don Trollano and Ryan Reyes had their significant help offensively before Rosario and Castro came through with their lethal shots.
Pogoy fired a team-high 20 points while Castro added 19, Rosario 15, Trollano 12 and Reyes nine in the highly emotional, highly physical match.
June Mar Fajardo sat out precious minutes late in the game after sustaining a cut on his forehead on a wayward elbow by Rosario.
Nonetheless, Fajardo piled up huge numbers with 26 points and 19 rebounds.
But Ravena felt they did a good job on Fajardo.
"We have to make it hard for them defensively. We have to
stop Fajardo and we have to stop their shooters," said Ravena. (SB)
The scores:
TNT 93 - Pogoy 20, Castro 19, Rosario 15, Trollano 12, Reyes 9, Washington 5, Taha 4, Semerad A. 4, Williams 4, Heruela 1, Carey 0.
San Miguel 88 - Fajardo 26, Standhardinger 18, Cabagnot 16, Romeo 12, Ross 6, Lassiter 5, Santos 5, Tubid 0, Nabong 0, Rosser 0, Pessumal 0.
Quarters: 20-19, 54-43, 73-68, 93-88.
