TNT floor leader Jayson Castro guided his squad to a one-sided 110-91 thrashing of the import-less Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Saturday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Castro’s return to action lifted the energy level of the Tropang Giga, who came out in full force as they now moved up to solo third place and improved their win-loss record to 2-1.
Import Cameron Oliver led the way with 21 points and eight boards while Calvin Oftana and Roger Pogoy each tallied 15 points.
Frederick Tungcab contributed 14 markers on 5-of-7 shooting from the field while Castro produced 10 for the Tropang Giga, who shot 48.8% from the field (40/82) while holding the Elasto Painters to just 39.1% shooting (34/87).
The Tropang Giga went off to a hot start, unloading 41 first-quarter points to set the tone for an early rout.
Rain or Shine played minus Steve Taylor Jr., who was placed under health and safety protocols. The loss was the second straight for the Elasto Painters, who now dropped to 2-3.
The scores:
TNT (110) — Oliver 21, Oftana 15, Pogoy 15, Tungcab 14, Castro 10, M. Williams 8, Montalbo 8, Alejandro 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Erram 4, K. Williams 2, Marcelo 2, Cruz 0.
Rain or Shine (91) — Nambatac 20, Caracut 12, Asistio 11, Santillan 11, Ildefonso 9, Belga 7, Mamuyac 4, Norwood 4, Ponferada 4, Borboran 4, Demusis 2, Guinto 1, Nieto 1, Torres 1.
Quarterscores: 41-20; 55-50; 87-64; 110-91.