Jayson Castro comes up clutch for TNT as Converge lags in endgame

Jayson Castro took over in the endgame as the TNT Tropang Giga took advantage of the Converge FiberXers' endgame lapses, 86-83, to take their second win in the 2022 PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

With TNT holding a 67-61 lead early in the fourth period, the FiberXers made a 5-0 charge to cut the lead to one. Converge again made a 6-0 run after an RR Pogoy shot at the 7:30 mark to claim the lead, 72-69.

The push-and-pull continued for both squads until a Maverick Ahanmisi three gave Converge an 81-79 lead with less than 40 seconds left. Off a timeout, Castro showed the young FiberXers squad a veteran move as he launched from beyond the arc to reclaim the TNT lead at the 00:30 mark.

RK Ilagan tried to win the game for Converge as he pulled up for a jumper to grab the lead for Converge, 83-81, with 24 seconds left. However, he missed both free throws off a Kelly William foul to give TNT another chance to grab the win.

Castro came up clutch as he grabbed Ilagan's miss and went coast to coast for the basket. As Converge tried to salvage the game, Ben Adamos committed a bad pass to cap off the series of unfortunate events for Converge.

JJ Alejandro's free throws off an Ahanmisi foul sealed the deal for TNT.

Castro listed 17 points, Glenn Khobuntin added 15 points, while Troy Rosario made 13 in both points and rebounds.

Tolomia had a team-high 17 points for Converge while Ahanmisi and Kevin Racal chipped in 15 points apiece. Ilagan had two points and two rebounds in the game.

TNT (2-1) will go against the NLEX Road Warriors, while Converge (1-2) will face the Meralco Bolts on Thursday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The scores:

TNT 86 – Castro 17, Khobuntin 15, Rosario 13, Pogoy 12, Alejandro 10, Erram 9, Reyes 6, K. Williams 4, Heruela 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

Converge 83 – Tolomia 17, Racal 15, Ahanmisi 15, Arana 9, Teng 8, Hill 4, Ambohot 5, Adamos 2, DiGregorio 2, Bulanadi 2, Murrell 2, Ilagan 2.

Quarters: 24-12, 40-36, 63-57, 86-83.

—JMB, GMA News