ANTIPOLO - Titan Ultra took down reigning champion TNT, 103-87, on Wednesday for its first victory in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup at the Ynares Center.
Tirell Brown scored 29 points and led a 31-17 second-quarter pullaway that set the stage for the upset by the Giant Risers, who had lost their first three games by an average margin of 26.3 points - and their last two game by 33.
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Coach Chot Reyes was so frustrated he ejected with 9:29 left in the final periof after being called for his second technical foul as TNT fell to 1-1.
Titan Ultra sustained its form in the second half that enabled the Risers to grab a 90-68 lead, the biggest of the match-up.
“Napakahirap nung three straight losses, how you motivate the players, how you motivate the team,” Titan Ultra coach Rensy Bajar said. “But I told them to just enjoy the game, don’t think about the win right away, and treat the game quarter-by-quarter, every minute, possession by possession, baka sakali doon, may pag-asa.
“Eventually, we limited TNT to 48 points in the first half, we had good defense and na-duplicate namin nung second half with the leadership of our import,” Bajar said.
Brown completed a double-double after grabbing 10 rebounds, and got support from the locals led by Bryan Sajonia, Jerrick Balanza, and Joshua Munzon, who each chipped in 13 points.
TNT continued to miss the services of Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, Jayson Castro, Kelly Williams, and Poy Erram.
Darius Days had 21 points and six rebounds, while Kim Aurin had 11 points but TNT failed to sustain its solid start when it got ahead, 11-4.
The scores:
Titan Ultra 103 – Brown 29, Balanza 13, Sajonia 13, Munzon 13, Dionisio 10, Sumang 9, Javillonar 9, Yu 5, Ular 2, Ambohot 0, Pessumal 0, Omega 0, Amores 0, Caralipio 0, Cuntapay 0, Inigo 0.
TNT 87 – Days 21, Aurin 11, Pogoy 10, Heading 9, Jalalon 8, Galinato 6, Khobuntin 6, Nambatac 5, Quitevis 5, Ferrer 2, Celzo 2, Hill 2, Enciso 0, Varilla 0.
Quarters: 27-31; 58-48; 80-64; 103-87.
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