TNT KaTropa played a lot steadier than in its previous outing, dishing out a good team effort in trouncing Alaska Milk, 106-98, in the last game of the Philippine Basketball Association in the year at the Cuneta AstrodomeFriday night.
Practically all the players fielded in by coach Nash Racela delivered, and they waxed hottest in the third quarter, opening a double-digit spread at 64-54 which they preserved in bouncing back from a losing debut against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
Troy Rosario, Moala Tautuaa and Jayson Castro made the biggest damage as the Texters handed the Aces a second straight loss in PBA Season 43.
The Texters won't be back in action until Jan. 13 when they go up against the San Miguel Beermen in a road game in Iloilo City.
The Aces, meanwhile, return to play in the next day versus the Kia Picanto at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
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Rosario top scored with 21 points that he laced with eight rebounds and one assist, Tautuaa played big off the bench, collecting 18 markers and nine boards while Castro submitted 18 points, six rebounds, six assists and three steals.
The whole team played a lot better than the last time, making the stops and finding the mark in a big comeback from a 79-82 loss to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters.
The Texters shot 44 percent from the field and 80 percent from the stripe, a big improvement from their previous outing where they struggled with a 30-percent field shooting and 47-percent free throws.
"We concentrated on really focusing on the game. The coaches say we focus, work hard and we'll get the result. That's what we got today," said Tautuaa.
Tautuaa was among those who stood as he went 8-of-12 from the field and 2-of-2 from the stripe.
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"We saw same advantage on Mo. And he's learning the PBA ropes. He's starting to turn that corner. We expect a lot from him. He showed a glimpse of what he can give the team," said Racela.
The Texters also drew a lot of help from rookie Sidney Onwubere and the returning RR Garcia.
Onwubere finally made his pro debut and he played decently, coming through with nine rebounds, six points, one assist and one steal against one error.
Garcia, who's just back from a shoulder injury, contributed 11 points, two assists and one rebound.
The Aces couldn't contain the steadiness of the Texters and suffered a second straight loss despite a huge 28-point game from rookie Jeron Teng.
The scores:
TNT 106 - Rosario 21, Castro 18, Tautuaa 18, Garcia 11, Williams 9, Pogoy 7, Onwubere 6, Reyes 6, Torres 6, Tallo 2, Arong 2, Carey 0.
Alaska 98 - Teng 28, Casio 17, Abueva 16, Magat 9, Thoss 6, Pascual 5, Galliguez 5, Banchero 4, Cruz 4, Manuel 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarters: 29-30, 58-49, 81-72, 106-98.
