TNT's last-gasp bid for a PBA Philippine Cup playoff spot got a much-needed shot in the arm Wednesday.
The KaTropa shellacked NLEX 101-75 at the Mall of Asia Arena to remain in the hunt, albeit shakily, for a playoff slot.
New recruit Jericho Cruz and some old reliables led by a former MVP enabled TNT to take full control of the game right in the second period and from there erect as big as a 38-point spread.
Now comes an equally hard part.
After winding up the eliminations with a 5-6 slate and a tie for eighth with Blackwater, the KaTropa must still await the results of the remaining games to find out where they stand among those still fighting for inclusion for quarterfinals berths.
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Rain or Shine, which takes on San Miguel Beer later in the evening and Ginebra at elims end Friday, may yet also move alongside TNT and Blackwater, along with either the Kings and Batang Pier or Fuel Masters.
In case of multiple ties, quotients would come into play then to break the deadlocks and TNT may yet lose out in that area.
For TNT coach Nash Racela, those slim odds are still better than none.
"We needed a win to give ourselves a chance at the playoffs and the only thing we have control over is this game, so kailangang manalo," said Racela.
"Hopefully, after things have cleared, we'd find out and we'd still be playing."
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The loss, its fifth in 11 games, hardly mattered for NLEX since it has long been assured of inclusion among the top six teams and a best-of-three duel in the next round.
On the other hand, even if it gets through, TNT would be saddled with a twice-to-win handicap against a top two team.
Racela takes additional confidence from the fine form his charges displayed against the Road Warriors that led to the KaTropa breaching the century mark for only the second time in the conference.
"We've been struggling offensively and that's no secret. I think everybody talks about that, that's why we're in the bottom three," noted Racela.
"I think the two-week break helped us. That's something we really focused on, that's why today we looked a lot better than in previous games."
No little thanks to Cruz.
Acquired in a trade from Rain or Shine last Feb. 15, the speedy combo guard proved to be a splendid acquisition with a team-high 17 points he laced with back-to-back baskets that gave TNT a 69-38 bulge in the third quarter.
"It is no secret that up to this point our team has no depth," stated Racela. "We need another guy who could spell RR (Pogoy) and Jayson Castro), someone who'd give us quality minutes."
Kelly Williams also was huge factor with 17 points and 16 rebounds while the comebacking Troy Rosario, Pogoy and Castro wound up with at least 10 points each.
Main reason why NLEX avoided absorbing its worst loss in franchise history was JR Quinahan, who scattered 16 of his game-best 20 points in the fourth quarter.
Kevin Alas notched 14 points and Rabeh Al-Hussaini 10 as the only other Road Warriors in double figures as erstwhile leading scorer Kiefer Ravena was used only for 12 minutes, netting only a point on three shots. (NC)
