MANILA, Philippines – Jayson Castro turned back the hands of time as the TNT Tropang Giga drew first blood against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 88-84, in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, February 26.
The 38-year-old Castro was on target from beyond the arc, cashing in 6 of his 7 three-point attempts to finish with a team-high 24 points for the Tropang Giga.
Like Castro, Gilas Pilipinas forward Calvin Oftana also caught fire from long distance, pouring in 22 markers on 6-of-8 shooting from deep as TNT survived Rain or Shine despite an ugly shooting performance by its star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
Hollis-Jefferson still managed to finish with 23 points, but was held to a lowly 8-of-27 field goal clip, missing all his 7 attempts from long distance.
“Rondae shot really poorly, he did not even hit 30% of his field goals so it was important that other guys stepped up. [Rain or Shine] did a really good job defending Rondae, and when that happens, we have to be able to go to our counters,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.
“Jayson and Calvin were the ones who provided that firepower coming off the bench. It was a struggle for us the whole game, but at least we won with our import struggling on his offense,” he added.
With Rain or Shine leading by its biggest at 9 points early in the second quarter, 37-28, it was Oftana who turned things around for TNT as he poured in 12 of his 22 points to give the Tropang Giga a 51-47 lead at the break.
It was a nip-and-tuck battle between both teams all throughout the second half, and with the game tied at 81-all with less than five minutes to play, TNT went on a 6-1 blitz off baskets by Roger Pogoy, Castro, and Hollis-Jefferson.
The Elasto Painters got back to within a single possession after two free throws by Andrei Caracut at the 1:59 mark of the fourth, 84-87, but those ended up as their final points of the ball game as TNT’s defense forced Rain or Shine to commit four straight turnovers in the endgame.
Import Deon Thompson led Rain or Shine with game-highs of 29 points and 16 rebounds, but also tallied a game-high 7 turnovers in the process.
Adrian Nocum was the only other player to score in double figures for the Elasto Painters with 18 points.
The Scores
TNT 88 – Castro 24, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 22, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 4, Aurin 2, Erram 2, Williams 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.
Rain or Shine 84 – Thompson 29, Nocum 18, Datu 9, Santillan 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 4, Caracut 3, Tiongson 3, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 0.
Quarters: 22-28, 51-47, 74-70, 88-84.
– Rappler.com