TNT rips Terrafirma, clinches quarterfinal berth

TNT Tropang Giga booked its ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2021 PBA Governors' Cup after a 20-point thrashing of the already-eliminated Terrafirma Dyip, 127-107, on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Import Aaron Fuller showed the way with a double-double effort of 24 points and 12 rebounds while rookie guard Mikey Williams churned out 16 markers and six assists as the Tropang Giga cruised to their fourth win in a row.

Veteran guard Jayson Castro was also instrumental, dropping 15 points, six assists, and three rebounds off the bench while Kib Montalbo added 12 to help TNT improve to 6-4.

Despite multiple runs by Terrafirma early in the match, TNT created enough of a gap in the final stretch of the first half with Kelly Williams, Castro and Fuller leading the way.

TNT led by as much as 12, 30-18, late in the opening canto after a triple from Ryan Reyes. But Terrafirma managed to stay at par with the Tropang Giga, all thanks to import Antonio Hester who dropped 13 of his overall output along with eight rebounds in the first half alone.

TNT pushed an eight-point advantage to a 19-point lead, 90-71, late in the third with Castro, Reyes, and Fuller fueling their huge 29-18 run.

The Dyip, however, inched closer following back-to-back triples from JP Calvo and Ed Daquioag to end the frame behind by just 13, 90-77.

But TNT stayed steady in the final period, with rookie guard Mikey Williams drilling crucial baskets late in the game, including two three-pointers that gave them a 114-98 lead.

Terrafirma tried to mount a late comeback but TNT proved to be too much for the cellar squad.

The Dyip, who missed the playoff bus for 12th straight conference now, got a huge showing from Hester who listed 30 points and 13 rebounds in the loss while Joshua Munzon added 16.

The Scores:

TNT - Fuller 24, M. Williams 16,  Castro 15, Montalbo 12, Erram 12, Rosario 9, Pogoy 8, K. Williams 8, Reyes 7, Khobuntin 7, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Marcelo 3, Cruz 0, Banal 0.

Terrafirma - Hester 30, Daquioag 19,  Munzon 16,  Calvo 9, Batiller 9, Cahilig 8, Go 5, Pascual 4, Ramos 4, Balagasay 3, Camson 0.

Quarters: 30-23, 61-53, 90-77, 127-107.

—MGP, GMA News