MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters became the first team to grab a Top Four slot in the PBA Governors’ Cup, blasting the defending champions Barangay Ginebra Kings, 121-92, on Saturday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

TNT finished the eliminations with an 8-3 win-loss record, tying their victim just behind Meralco (8-2). However, Ginebra’s fate remains uncertain. The Kings could even crash out of the Top 4 and fall to fifth place, with the twice-to-win disadvantage in the playoffs, depending on the results of Sunday’s games.

Glen Rice Jr. shook off early foul trouble to lead the Texters with 36 points, nine rebounds, and four steals. The son of the former NBA great scored half his points in the third quarter when the Texters began pulling away after a closely fought first half, outscoring the Kings, 31-22.

Jayson Castro added 28 points, 11 of them in the final quarter, on top of seven assists, four boards, one steal, and one block in 30 minutes.

Castro and Rice drilled six three-pointers apiece. Overall, TNT drilled 17 three-pointers.

Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy scored 15 points apiece while Kelly Williams chipped in 10 markers as the Texters handed the Kings their worst defeat under coach Tim Cone. TNT led Ginebra by as much as 32 points, 115-83, with three minutes left.

Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 28 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Japeth Aguilar was the only other double-digit scorer for the Kings with 19 markers.

Ginebra suffered a double whammy as rookie Kevin Ferrer was brought to the hospital at halftime after suffering a bad fall when he hit the floor face-first after jumping off a fake by TNT’s Mo Tautuaa. He played for just six minutes and had three points and a single assist before leaving the court.

Rain or Shine 122,

Blackwater 98

The Rain or Shine Elasto Painters walloped the Blackwater Elite, 122-98, sustaining their hopes of making it to the Top Four, which will only be known after the final elimination round games on Sunday.

The Painters improved to a 7-4 win-loss card while the Elite settled for a 5-6 record–good for eighth seed in the quarterfinals.

Six Painters finished in double-digit scoring. They were led by import J’nathan Bullock who tallied 30 points and eight boards. Bullock scored 12 of his points in the third quarter when the Painters started to pull away after a tightly fought first half.

Raymond Almazan finished with 20 points and six rebounds in less than 19 minutes of play. His three-pointer with 7: 22 left propelled ROS to a 20-point lead, 103-83.

Gabe Norwood registered 15 points, six boards, and five assists while Maverick Ahanmisi almost had a double-double with 12 points and nine rebounds. Rookie Ed Daquioag and Don Trollano added 11 markers apiece.

The Painters shot a sizzling 49 percent from the floor, with their bench contributing 62 points to their points total in sharp contrast to just 19 markers from Blackwater’s bench.

ROS’ victory spoiled another spectacular game dished out by new recruit Allein Maliksi, who led Blackwater with 29 points on 45 percent shooting, along with eight rebounds. Import Henry Walker tallied a double-double 21 points and 13 boards on top of five assists while KG Canaleta and J. Paul Erram added 15 and 14 markers, respectively, in a losing effort.

Games Sunday: Star Hotshots (6-4) vs. NLEX Road Warriors (7-3) and Meralco Bolts (8-2) vs. San Miguel Beermen (7-3).