KaTropa subdues undermanned Beermen behind KJ McDaniels’ 44 points

KJ McDaniels sizzled for 44 points including a clutch triple with 38 ticks left on the game clock to give TNT back the lead and then capped it off with 2 pressure-packed freebies as the KaTropa outlasted the San Miguel Beermen 114-109, Wednesday in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The victory propped the KaTropa up to 3rd place and along with it a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round. The Beermen, on the other hand, absorbed its second straight defeat and settled for 5th seed and an early date with sister team Brgy. Ginebra in the playoffs.

The 26-year old McDaniels also contributed 12 boards, 6 assists, 2 steals and 5 blocks in a no-relief job.

“This game is big for us. We came from three straight losses. Grabe ka-importante yung game na ito sa amin. Buti na lang, our locals stepped up. Jayson is back. Malaking tulong sa team. Troy played really, really well, everybody played well lalo na yung mga locals,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.

Troy Rosario also had an outstanding performance as the national team forward scattered 30 points, highlighted by 7-of-12 shooting from long distance, to go along with 10 rebounds and 2 assists. Roger Pogoy added 17 markers while the returning Jayson Castro chipped in 12.

John Holland top scored for the undermanned Beermen, who missed the services of Arwind Santos, Kelly Nabong and Ronald Tubid due to suspension, with 25 points, 11 rebounds, 3 assists and 6 steals which is marked improvement from his 10-point, 10-rebound debut against Rain or Shine.

Terrence Romeo contributed 18 points while Chris Ross and Marcio Lassiter added 16 apiece.

June Mar Fajardo finished with 13 points and 10 boards.

The scores:

TNT 114 – McDaniels 44, Rosario 30, Pogoy 17, Castro 12, Reyes 5, Parks 4, Washington 2, Williams 0, Digregorio 0, De Leon 0.

San Miguel 109 – Holland 25, Romeo 18, Ross 16, Lassiter 16, Fajardo 13, Cabagnot 12, Tautuaa 8, Rosser 1, Pessumal 0.

Quarterscores: 37-25, 53-46, 87-77, 114-109.