TNT Tropang Giga welcomed veteran Jayson Castro back to the line-up with a convincing 109-93 triumph over Blackwater Elite in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.

Castro missed TNT’s first three games, and the Chot Reyes-mentored Tropang Giga went 1-2 without him, including a woeful 0-2 start.

It was a different story, however, as Castro came back in full force.

Castro finished with 16 points, three steals and two assists in his first game back to lead the Tropang Giga to .500 for the first time in the import-flavored conference.

As expected, import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the way with 22 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block for the reigning Governors’ Cup champion.

TNT also drew big games from Rey Nambatac (19-5-5) and Calvin Oftana (18-8) and commendable defensive work by Glenn Khobuntin and Paul Varilla on Bossing import George King.

The high-scoring King was held to a conference-low 28 points on 10-of-22 shooting against the TNT the duo and the rest of the defenders — way below his average of 39 points in Blackwater’s first four outings.

“The good thing was after that last game we had a long break and we used the break to really work on a lot of our mechanics especially defensively,” said Chot Reyes..

“And then towards the last couple of days, the last several days, we focused on how to stop George King. We all know his ability from the four-point line.”

The scores:

TNT (109) – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2, Varilla 0.
Blackwater (93) – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferrada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, Corteza 2, Guinro 1, Ayonayon 1, Jopia 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 57-48, 82-69, 109-93.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya