TNT trounces Rain or Shine, sets up clash with SMB

The TNT KaTropa earned a decisive win against top team Rain or Shine, 100-85, to claim the third seed in the 2018 PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs.

Save for the first half of the opening period, TNT led from the second to the fourth quarter en route to the easy win. Coach Nash Racela’s squad was up by as many as 22 points, thanks to Josh Smith’s 25 points and 13 rebounds.

Terence Romeo

Troy Rosario tallied 19 with eight boards to lead the locals, while Ryan Reyes came off the bench for 12 more points. Kelly Williams and RR Pogoy chipped in nine and eight points, respectively.

Rain or Shine’s Reggie Johnson was held to just 12 points off a 4 of 14 clip, along with 14 rebounds, but no other local Elasto Painter scored more. Chris Tiu tallied 11 to pace the locals, while Maverick Ahanmisi and James Yap added 10 points apiece. Beau Belga and Rey Nambatac combined for 17, as Ed Daquioag struggled for just five points with a 1 of 8 clip.

Seven straight by Chris Tiu to start the game put Rain or Shine ahead by five, 9-4, but Troy Rosario, Anthony Semerad, and Josh Smith went on a 6-0 spurt to give TNT an advantage they never yielded again.

With the win, TNT now prepares for San Miguel in a best-of-three quarterfinals, while Rain or Shine will face GlobalPort with a twice to beat advantage. — LA, GMA News