MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga notched its second straight win in the 2024-25 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, defeating the slumping Blackwater Bossing, 109-93, on Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
Jayson Castro made his conference debut with 16 points, three steals, and two assists to be named Player of the Game as the Tropang Giga notched their second straight win for a 2-2 win-loss card.
“Actually, after nung finals (ng PBA Governors’ Cup), ang haba ng pahinga ko kaya sobrang excited ako kanina and then (good thing) bumalik din agad ‘yung game rhythm ko,” Castro said in a post-game interview.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the way for the Tropang Giga with 22 points, nine rebounds, and six assists, Rey Nambatac added 19 markers, while Calvin Oftana, Roger Pogoy, and Glenn Khobuntin contributed 18, 12, and 10 points, respectively.
Tropang Giga head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes lauded his team for tightening on their defense, especially against Bossing import George King, who struggled with his outside shots.
“The good thing was, after our last game, we had a long break, and we used the break to work on our mechanics, especially on defense,” said Reyes.
“Everyone pitched in, we are switching a lot, everyone was very mindful of the defensive game plan, we are just happy that we come out with the W,” added the former Gilas Pilipinas mentor.
King finished with 28 points and nine rebounds, while Regile Kent Ilagan added 19 markers as the Bossing dropped to a 1-5 win-loss card./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 109 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Nambatac 19, Oftana 18, Castro 16, Pogoy 12, Khobuntin 10, Galinato 6, Erram 4, Razon 2, Varilla 0, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0.
BLACKWATER 93 – King 28, Ilagan 19, Chua 9, Kwekuteye 9, David 8, Suerte 5, Escoto 4, Ponferrada 3, Montalbo 2, Casio 2, COrteza 2, Guinto 1, Ayonayon 1, Jopia 0, Hill 0.
Quarterscores: 28-18, 57-48, 82-69, 109-93.
