Jayson Castro came back strong from a one-game rest, leading Tropang TNT to a first successive wins in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup with a 114-103 drubbing of Rain or Shine at Smart Araneta Coliseum Monday night.
Castro delivered 26 points, four rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block in a superb 26-minute off-the-bench job as the Texters scored a follow-up on their 85-80 conquest of the NLEX Road Warriors the last time out and forged a four-way logjam at fifth place with ROS, Mahindra and Star at 4-4.
“At least we’re still there,” said TNT coach Jong Uichico after the game.
Castro, a two-time FIBA Asia Championship best guard, made a good show in his return from a one-game layoff to rest a sore foot.
David Simon, Ryan Reyes, Troy Rosario, Jai Reyes and Dylan Ababou also dished out sterling efforts as they snapped the E-Painters’ three-game winning streak.
Simon completed a double-double game with 20 points and 14 rebounds while the two Reyeses, Rosario, and Ababou contributed double-digit outputs for the Texters who led from start to finish.
The Texters had a strong first half that saw them lead by as many as 18, 54-36, before sitting on a 59-44 cushion at the turn.
Castro came out firing in the second period, sparking their decisive surge from a 31-29 count.
Simon had piled up 13 points and eight rebounds while Castro and Ryan Reyes had nine markers apiece in the first half.
The E-Painters bled for their points, converting only 14 of 45 field-goal attempts in the first 24 minutes of play.
Rain or Shine established some rhythm at the resumption of play, charging to within six at 73-79 only to sag again and fall behind by 17, 75-92, at the end of the third.
Castro made a three-point play off Mo Charlo and knocked in two treys to highlight TNT’s 13-2 closing run in the third.
Then the Texters sustained their domination through the payoff quarter.
The scores:
TNT 114 – Castro 26, Simon 20, J. Reyes 12, R. Reyes 12, Ababou 11, Rosario 11, Carey 7, Williams 6, Tautuaa 4, De Ocampo 3, Ganuelas-Rosser 2.
RAIN OR SHINE 103 – Quinahan 25, Charlo 22, Cruz 21, Ahanmisi 11, Norwood 8, Chan 5, Almazan 4, Tiu 3, Belga 2, Ibanes 2, Lee 0, Nimes 0, Ponferrada 0, Trollano 0.
Quarters: 31-23, 59-44, 92-75, 114-103.
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