By Jay R. Gotera
MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters pushed the top-seeded Barangay Ginebra Kings to the brink of elimination with a stunning 107-103 victory in Game 2 of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series on Tuesday night.
TNT coach Nash Racela surprised his Ginebra counterpart Tim Cone by unleashing new recruit Anthony Semerad as a starter. The ploy worked as the Filipino-Australian wingman delivered the goods, nailing four dagger three-pointers late in the game, the last of which shoved TNT on top for good with 53 seconds left.
Semerad finished with 14 points, scoring all but two of them in the fourth quarter. The former GlobalPort forward also shone on the defensive end, sticking like glue to Ginebra import Justin Brownlee all game long.
The fourth-seeded Texters, who now lead the series 2-0, will try to go for a sweep in Game 3 of their best-of-5 series on Thursday night.
The Kings managed to limit the production of TNT’s hulking import Joshua Smith, who still led his team with 16 points in just 27 minutes of action. Smith exploded for 35 points in Game 1.
However, the Kings were caught flat-footed by Semerad’s heroics. Roger Pogoy added 14 points while Jayson Castro and Kelly Williams chipped in 12 markers each for TNT.
Brownlee once again led Ginebra with 22 points, but took 24 shots to get them. He also missed four free throws at a crucial moment in the payoff period that could have changed the outcome of the game.
Brownlee also finished with 12 boards, three assists, two steals, and two blocks in 43 minutes. LA Tenorio also tallied 22 points along with six rebounds, five assists, and three steals in 43 minutes. His last basket — a three-pointer — gave the Kings their last taste of the lead, which was immediately countered by Semerad’s last triple.
Japeth Aguilar finished with 17 points and 9 rebounds, Joe Devance put up 14, while Scottie Thompson added 13 points, 7 rebounds, and 9 assists.
Game on Wednesday: San Miguel Beer vs. Star Hotshots (Game 3 of best-of-5 semifinals; Series tied 1-1)
