PBA: TNT routs struggling Ginebra ahead of Gilas duty
MANILA, Philippines—TNT chalked up its second straight win after dominating Barangay Ginebra, 119-92, in the 2021-22 PBA Governors’ Cup Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga, who will take a short break from the PBA to help Gilas Pilipinas prepare for the 2023 Fiba World Cup Asian Qualifiers, improved to 4-4 while the Gin Kings dropped to their third consecutive defeat for a 3-3 record.
Ryan Reyes drilled a three-pointer in the midway part of the third to cap off a 22-7 run across the two middle quarters that gave TNT a 77-60 lead and effectively putting the Gin Kings at bay.
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Ginebra got to within nine, 77-68, but the Tropang Giga countered with a 17-4 run with Jayson Castro knocking down his own triple for the 94-72 lead.
“We [the coaches] told the players that we were committing unnecessary fouls so we had to find a way to sustain the aggression without fouling and of course prepare for a strong Ginebra fight back because coach Tim [Cone] will make adjustments,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes.
The fourth quarter was all TNT as Ginebra never found a way to trim the lead with the smallest being a 20-point margin, 96-76, after LA Tenorio’s layup 58 seconds into the frame.
Mikey Williams led TNT’s offense with 26 points, five rebounds, and five assists but it was Reyes who went mental in his shooting as he put up 24 points on 8-of-9 shooting from deep.
Justin Brownlee had 25 points and nine rebounds to lead Ginebra.