By Adrian Stewart Co
TNT Tropang GIGA stayed undefeated in the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup after a 96-76 rout of Blackwater Bossing yesterday at the Don Honorio Ventura State University Gymnasium in Bacolor, Pampanga.
Rookie Mikey Williams had his best game in the PBA with career-best 16 points, while Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro added 13 and 11 markers, respectively, for the Tropang GIGA.
Bacolodnon Kib Montalbo and Dave Marcelo each had nine points, as John Paul Erram, Jeth Troy Rosario and Brian Heruela had eight apiece as TNT remained unbeaten after four matches.
From a 14-all score early in the first quarter, the Tropang GIGA leaned on outside conversions by Williams for a 28-18 edge. The Bossing countered with a rally in the second period to seize a 45-37 lead.
TNT rallied back in the third quarter behind Williams, Castro and Glenn Khobutin to take a 51-46 lead before widening it to 74-60 after the quarter with shots from Erram and Marcelo.
The Tropang GIGA continued its offensive outburst in the fourth period with triples from Castro and Pogoy and consecutive points from Montalbo for its largest lead of 94-68.
Simon Enciso top-scored with 14 points, while Kelly Nabong and Carl Bryan Cruz chipped in 11 markers apiece as the Bossing remained at the cellar with 0-5 win-loss slate.
Meanwhile, PBA action resumes today with NLEX Road Warriors facing Alaska Aces at 2:00 p.m. and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters battling Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at 4:35 p.m.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 96 – M. Williams 16, Pogoy 13, Castro 11, Montalbo 9, Marcelo 9, Erram 8, Rosario 8, Heruela 8, Khobuntin 7, Alejandro 7, K. Williams 0, Exciminiano 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
BLACKWATER 76 – Enciso 14, Nabong 11, Cruz 11, Amer 9, Canaleta 8, Daquioag 6, Tolomia 4, Paras 4, Escoto 4, Golla 3, Desiderio 2, Magat 0, Semerad 0, Dennison 0, Torralba 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 37-43, 74-60, 96-76./ASC, WDJ