PBA

TNT downs Blackwater in return from FIBA break

The TNT Tropang Giga scored a 106-93 victory over the Blackwater Bossing in their return in the PBA Governors' Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

This was TNT's first game after the core of its players and head coach Chot Reyes were tapped to reinforce the Philippine national men's basketball team in the FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers held in the same venue last weekend.

Up 80-65 at the end of the third quarter, TNT held its biggest margin early in the fourth period, 87-67, on a layup from Poy Erram.

Blackwater, though, closed the gap, 96-85, after a 7-0 run near the halfway mark of the deciding frame before Jayson Castro and Mikey Williams again widened the TNT lead to 16, enough to hand them the win eventually.

Williams had 23 points and six rebounds, while reinforcement Aaron Fuller, RR Pogoy, and Ryan Reyes all had 16 points each.

Blackwater import Shawn Glover had 26 points and 15 rebounds while Jvee Casio listed 21 points 5-of-8 treys. Rey Suerte added 14 points in the loss.

With the win, TNT improved to 5-4, while Blackwater is still winless in 10 games.

The Tropang Giga will see action again on Wednesday against Terrafirma Dyip, while Blackwater will try to notch a win before the conference ends against the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok.

The scores:

TNT 106 - M. Williams 23, Fuller 16, Pogoy 16, Reyes 16, Rosario 8, Alejandro 6, Castro 5, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 5, Erram 4, K. Williams 2, Heruela 0, Banal 0.

Blackwater 93 – Glover 26, Casio 21, Suerte 14, Desiderio 7, McCarthy 7, Amer 6, Ebona 4, Paras 4, Ayonayon 2, Baloria 2, Chauca 0, Melton 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 24-16, 49-36, 80-65, 106-93.

—JMB, GMA News