PBA: Cansino steps up as Meralco evens semis series vs TNT at 2-2

CJ Cansino starred as Meralco held off TNT, 101-90, in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, tying the best-of-seven series at 2-2.

The Bolts were ahead, 93-84, with less than five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, but TNT responded with a 6-0 run to cut the deficit to three points.

However, Cansino drained a crucial four-pointer to give Meralco breathing room with 1:21 left, before baskets from Javee Mocon and Cliff Hodge sealed the victory.

“We had to weather that comeback in the fourth, but we managed it quite well,” Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo said.

“We had to stay positive and the guys pulled through eventually in the fourth. They found their rhythm there even with Patrick [Gardner] fouling out. I thought we did a good job as a team in keeping our poise not only on offense but defense as well.”

The Bolts also came out strong, taking a 32-23 lead at the end of the first quarter before carrying a slim 50-48 advantage into halftime.

Cansino finished with 17 points, two rebounds, two steals, and one assist to lead the Meralco locals, helping new import Gardner, who posted 20 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, and a steal before fouling out at the 3:26 mark of the final period.

TNT import Chris McCullough paced the Tropang 5G with 24 points, nine rebounds, three blocks, and two assists, while Jordan Heading chipped in 15 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Scores:

Meralco – Gardner 20, Cansino 17, Mocon 13, Black 12, Newsome 11, Hodge 8, Banchero 8, Brickman 6, Quinto 4, Almazan 2.

TNT – McCullough 24, Heading 15, Pogoy 14, Ganuelas-Rosser 14, Oftana 10, Castro 8, Galinato 4, Williams 1, Nambatac 0, Enciso 0, Aurin 0, Khobuntin 0, Quitevis 0.

Quarters: 32-23, 50-48, 73-71, 101-90.

—JKC, GMA News