CARMONA -- TNT banked on a strong second half to edge out Alaska, 104-93, and clinched the third seat in the PBA Commissioner's Cup semifinals in the rubber match of their quarterfinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night.
Already blowing two twice-to-beat advantages in the quarterfinals before, the KaTropa surged late to assure that there will be no repeat of the said collapse despite the Aces being on the verge of yet another blowout win in the first half.
Two nights after dealing TNT a 108-73 beating to force the decider, Alaska seemed poised to bludgeon TNT anew, opening a 15-point lead, 45-30, midway through the second quarter.
However, the KaTropa zoomed ahead in the second half, dropping 35 points in the third quarter while holding the Aces to just 12 points in the fourth quarter to complete the turnaround.
Terrence Jones posted humongous stats of 37 points, 22 rebounds, nine assists, and one block for TNT, which will face Ginebra in the best-of-five semifinals.
Troy Rosario added 20 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal.
Simon Enciso put up 24 markers, two boards, two dimes, and one steal for Alaska, which missed out on becoming the fourth eighth-seeded team to overcome a twice-to-beat disadvantage to clinch a quarterfinal series. (PNA)
