TNT flaunts depth in win over Mahindra
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PUERTO PRINCESA – With Ranidel de Ocampo sitting out Saturday due to a calf injury, David Simon knew everyone must be on deck in TNT’s game against Mahindra.
“Anytime you miss a player like that, it’s important for the other guys to step up,” he said.
But it wasn’t as smooth sailing as TNT would have wanted it to be.
The Tropa had to go through the eye of the needle for an 83-78 victory a spot and a quarterfinals spot in the 2016 Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.
Simon tallied 10 points, 14 rebounds, three steals, and three blocks for TNT, but said the win wasn’t just about him.
“Definitely, we miss Ranidel, but there are other guys who were able to step up and help us get the win,” he said.
Simon got ample help from the locals.
Jai Reyes knocked down four treys to lead the squad with 12 markers, Ryan Reyes provided stability all game long and finished with 11 points, four boards, and three assists, while Dylan Ababou went ablaze with three consecutive triples in the fourth quarter.
Simon was happy that this kind of teamwork paid off for TNT, just in time for the playoffs.
“It was big. I knew we needed a win to secure a spot in the playoffs. It’s something we really had to focus on,” he said.
TNT gets one more test and another opportunity to fine tune its system before the playoffs when it goes up against San Miguel on Friday.
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