By JAY R. GOTERA
MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters bounced back from a Game 3 debacle with a stunning 122-109 victory over the Barangay Ginebra Kings Saturday night to wrap up their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-5 semifinal series at 3-1 Saturday night, thus arranging a best-of-7 Finals against earlier qualifier San Miguel Beer.
Jayson Castro exploded for 38 points, 11 assists, seven rebounds, and two steals in 35 minutes to lead the Texters to their first Finals appearance since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup where they went on to win the championship against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in seven games.
Coming into the game averaging just 7.7 points in the semifinals, Castro, nicknamed the Blur for his flashy moves, surprised everybody with a fiery performance, shooting the lights out of the Cuneta Astrodome with 13-of-21 shooting from the field.
TNT won despite Joshua Smith, its hulking import, playing hurt with an injured foot. Despite the injury that slowed him down, Smith played his heart out, finishing with 18 points, five boards, two assists, and one block in 21 minutes before limping to the bench with 6:26 left in the game.
New recruit RR Garcia added 16 points for TNT while Kelly Williams and rookie Roger Pogoy finished with 14 and 13 markers, respectively.
The Texters were leading by 12 points in the third quarter when the Kings came out firing on all cylinders to momentarily grab the lead.
Just as the legions of Ginebra fans were expecting a fourth quarter rampage by the Kings with momentum on their side and against an opponent with an injured import, the Texters saved their best for last, silencing the Ginebra horde with a crippling 17-3 run that gave TNT a 118-107 lead, sealing the win with still 2:53 left.
The stinging defeat put to naught Japeth Aguilar’s monster game of 31 points, seven rebounds, and three blocks in 35 minutes.
Justin Brownlee added 25 points, 15 boards, seven assists, and three blocks in 45 minutes. However, Ginebra’s heroic import from last season was held scoreless for most parts of the final period.
LA Tenorio added 20 points while Joe Devance and Scottie Thompson chilled in 14 and 10, respectively.
Game Wednesday: San Miguel Beermen vs. TNT KaTropa Texters (Game 1 of best-of-7 finals).
