BOBBY Ray Parks hit two free throws with seven seconds left as TNT stormed back from a double-digit deficit to beat Magnolia, 98-97, on Monday and advance to the semifinals of the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Parks drew a foul from Rafi Reavis after getting the offensive rebound off a miss by Jayson Castro and the TNT rookie calmly sank both free throws to put a fitting end to the KaTropa's fightback from the depths of an 18-point deficit.
TNT import KJ McDaniels blocked a lay-up by Romeo Travis and Mark Barroca forced a tough inbound pass that Romeo Travis failed to haul in with 1.1 seconds as the Hotshots' season came to a heartbreaking end.
Jayson Castro scored 30 points as the third-ranked TNT moved on to a best-of-five semifinal against sister team Meralco.
“What can I say. Suwerte lang,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena. “Nakita naman natin. Hindi namin inexpect na makakabalik pa kami. Inisip namin, next game na lang uli. Maybe it’s God’s plan.”
KJ McDaniels finished with 25 points and 17 rebounds for the KaTropa, who were able to tie the game at 96 after Troy Rosario found himself wide open for a three following a rebound that Magnolia failed to control.
Travis split of his free throws with 15.9 seconds left made it 97-96 in Magnolia's favor, but left the door open for a TnT game-winner.
The KaTropa were down, 80-62, near the end of the third and, 85-70, early in the fourth after a jumper by Travis.
The loss spoiled Travis’ 32-point, 26-rebound effort for the sixth-seed Magnolia, which, failed to defend the Governors’ Cup crown it won last year by beating Alaska in six games in the finals.
The scores:
TNT 98 – Castro 30, McDaniels 25, Rosario 12, Reyes 10, Pogoy 8, Parks 7, DiGregorio 6, Williams 0.
Magnolia 97 – Travis 32, Dela Rosa 13, Jalalon 12, Lee 11, Barroca 9, Banchero 8, Sangalang 7, Pingris 4, Melton 1, Reavis 0.
Quarterscores: 22-26; 48-54; 66-80; 98-97