Suadi Gazette

MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters blasted their way to victory in a second-straight do-or-die game, pummeling the Phoenix Fuel Masters, 118-97, to grab the last ticket to the PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Sunday night at the Mall of Asia Arena.

The Texters also routed the NLEX Road Warriors earlier on Feb. 28 to stave off elimination. They will figure in another do-or-die game against the top-seeded defending champion San Miguel Beer on Tuesday. SMB carries a twice-to-beat advantage, which means TNT had to beat the Beermen twice to advance to the semis.

In last season’s Philippine Cup, TNT and SMB figured in a best-of-seven semifinal series that the Beermen won, 4-3.

Sunday’s victory was a payback for TNT, which suffered a close 72-74 loss to Phoenix in the elimination round.

After a tightly fought first half, which ended with TNT ahead by just five, 54-49, the Texters opened the second half with a 21-6 run to take a 75-55 lead, breaking the game wide open. TNT poured 40 points in the third quarter alone before coasting to victory.

Troy Rosario led TNT with 18 points, including 4-of-7 from beyond the arc, on top of four rebounds off the bench. Jayson Castro was just as red-hot, scoring 17 points, including 10 in TNT’s 40-point third quarter explosion. The star guard known as “The Blur” had a near triple double, collecting eight rebounds and nine assists off the bench.

New recruit Jericho Cruz was a huge offensive weapon for the second straight game with his new team, also finishing with 17 points, the same output he produced in the game against NLEX. Roger Pogoy added 15 markers and three rebounds.

Anthony Semerad added 12 points while Kelly Williams and Mo Tautuaa chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively, for TNT.

The Texters shot a sizzling 15-of-36 from three-point range and led by as much as 29, 112-83, midway in the fourth quarter.

With the loss, Phoenix ended up at ninth place in the conference as it joined also-rans Kia, Blackwater, and Meralco.

Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 18 points, six rebounds, and six assists but shot just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc

Doug Kramer added a double-double of 16 points and 11 boards, while Gelo Alolino had 13 in a losing effort.

Games Monday: Alaska Aces vs. NLEX Road Warriors (Game 1, best-of-3 quarterfinals) and Barangay Ginebra Kings vs. Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (Game 1, best-of-3 quarterfinals).