Mahindra Enforcers faced Talk N’ Text Texters as both teams came out from a loss and looking for their first win in the All Filipino Cup 2015. TNT will not be having De Ocampo because of herniated disc injury. The Gilas triggerman will rest for few weeks.
Mahindra shown promise with their good shooting and aggressiveness especially in the 2nd quarter. 73-76 was the score after the bell for the 3rd quarter with Mahindra leading by 3 points only.
Ryan Reyes shots a three to tie the game in the opening of the 4th quarter. Tautua with a much-improved performance compared to his first game displayed an empathic dunk after a turn-around get-away move giving TNT the lead at 9:18 of the game. Fans of TNT would definitely need more of this kind of performance from the first round pick Tautua.
On the other hand, Aldrich Ramos continued his sharp shooting to keep closer with TNT. Hubalde was also attacking the defense of a smaller Castro. However, Castro exhibited his skills and the reason why he is the Asia’s best point guard to the Enforcers.
LA Revilla did not lack the skills of a point guard as well, showing off his dribbling skills, and making plays for his teammates. He might be the next JC.
Meanwhile, Castro already has 28 points and TNT was leading by 2 points only approaching the last minutes of the 4th quarter. Bagatsing and Revilla were also shooting well for Mahindra. TNT cannot just break away to this game.
Coach Baldwin as an assistant coach of TNT Texters was watching while head coach Jong Uichico giving instructions to their players. For sure, Baldwin was watching closely to the performance and abilities of some of the members of the Gilas 17-men roster for the FIBA World Cup Qualifications.
TNT grabbed a 5-point lead with 1:13 remaining on the clock. Coach Victolero, in place of head coach Manny Pacquiao, took a timeout and engineered a play and the Enforcers executed it well. Revilla passing two picks with Rosario at his front. He devised a knee-breaking crossover against the taller defender and made the 2-point shot and a foul. 97-99 was the score after Revilla completing the 3-point play, TNT leading only by 2 points.
Mahindra did need a stop in that stretch of the game. 30 seconds was the remaining time when Victolero took his last timeout to come up with a play again. Canuleta received the ball and tried to make a three against Harvey’s tight defense. It was way off. TNT took their last timeout as well and planned to bring this game home.
The game ended 101-97 for TNT. The Enforcers had the chance in this game but Castro, Reyes, and the TNT defense improved in the last quarter.
Jason Castro is the best player with a 28-point performance. In an interview, he talked about the need to improve their defense as they move ahead in this tournament.
