By JAY R. GOTERA
MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters nearly blew a 20-point lead before pulling through with a 95-90 victory over the GlobalPort Batang Pier in Game 2 of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-three quarterfinal series on Monday night.
Veteran forward Ranidel de Ocampo turned back the hands of time to complete a TNT sweep of GlobalPort, thus arranging a best-of-seven semifinal series against the top-seeded San Miguel Beer. That series begins on Wednesday.
De Ocampo topscored for TNT with 25 points on an efficient 7-of-10 shooting from the field. Mo Tautuaa finished with 14 markers while Troy Rosario added 12 points. Larry Fonacier and Kelly Williams chipped in 10 markers apiece.
The Texters won despite Jayson Castro limited to just nine points on 4-of-13 shooting from the field. However, the veteran guard tallied eight assists, four boards, and three steals, in 32 minutes off the bench.
Terrence Romeo paced GlobalPort with 22 points but shot just 5 of 23 from the field, including 2-of-15 from three-point range, in 44 minutes. Romeo also caused his team’s downfall in the endgame when he fumbled the ball on a drive to commit a turnover, allowing De Ocampo to seal the victory for TNT with two charities.
Stanley Pringle added 19 markers for GlobalPort on a more efficient eight of 12 shooting from the field in 40 minutes. JR Quinahan stepped up and scored all of his 17 points in the second half but still to no avail.
Star 91, Phoenix 71
The Star Hotshots once again dominated the Phoenix Fuel Masters, winning 91-71, to sweep their quarterfinals series and clinch the second semifinals slot. Star now awaits the winner of the Ginebra-Alaska knockout match on Tuesday.
Like in their previous game, the Hotshots broke the game wide open in the third quarter to finish off the Fuel Masters. Paul Lee paced Star with 17 points, eight of them in the third quarter when the Hotshots outscored the Fuel Masters, 23-14. The shifty guard also collected nine assists, and four rebounds,
Marc Pingris also sparkled for Star, posting 16 markers, nine boards, three assists, two steals, and committing just one turnover in 34 minutes.
Jio Jalalon and Ian Sangalang added 11 apiece for the Hotshots, who have now racked up six straight wins with an average margin of 27 points. Rookie Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 24 points that all went down the drain. Simon Enciso and JC Intal added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
Meanwhile, Alaska, coach Tim Cone revealed that injured Barangay Ginebra forward Joe Devance is a “doubtful starter” in Tuesday’s do-or-die match with Alaska. Devance hurt his foot at the height of Ginebra’s third quarter rampage in Sunday’s game. He was immediately taken to the hospital as he was seen writhing in pain both on the court and inside the team dugout.
Cone revealed that Devance has been struggling with bone spurs in his ankle and that he was even injected pain relievers before the game.
Game on Tuesday, Feb. 7: Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. Alaska Aces (knockout quarterfinal)
