Saudi Gazette MANILA Jayson Castro exploded for 42 points to lead the TNT KaTropa to a rousing 136-124 victory over the hard-fighting Phoenix Fuel Masters in their PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals match Saturday night. What's all the more amazing was that Castro was able to score nearly a third of his team's total points output in just 27 minutes of play. In that period he made 14 of 26 shots, including five of 11 three-point attempts, and drilled nine of 12 free throws. He also grabbed four rebounds and three assists. Regarded as Asia's best point guard, Castro could have surpassed his career high of 44 points had he not been pulled out with over six minutes left in the final quarter. The win pushed TNT into a best-of-five semifinals series with sister team Meralco Bolts, which earlier in the day defeated the upstart Mahindra Enforcer. The series starts Tuesday, Sept. 27. Asian import Michael Madanly added 17 points, Ranidel de Ocampo and Ryan Reyes chipped in 16 apiece while Larry Fonacier had 13 and Kelly Williams contributed 12 for TNT. Import Mychal Ammons scored just seven points on top of 13 boards, two assists, and one steal in 23 minutes. The Texters were seriously challenged by the Fuel Masters, who were still leading halfway through the third quarter of the high-scoring game before TNT pulled away for good. Eugene Phelps once again led Phoenix with 39 points and 17 boards, while Asian import Lee Gwan Hee added 24 points, six boards, and three assists. Phoenix's local players failed to deliver with JC Intal held to just two points while Willy Wilson wound up scoreless in 22 minutes. Meralco 105, Mahindra 82 The Meralco Bolts zapped the Mahindra Enforcer, 105-82, their second straight victory over Manny Pacquiao's team, to clinch a semifinals berth. Import Allen Durham paced the Bolts with 24 points and 16 rebounds while Chris Newsome scored 19 markers. Cliff Hodge added 14 points while Jared Dillinger chipped in 12 markers. Down by 15 points early in the second quarter, the Bolts suddenly caught fire and pulled away for good. The game was almost like a replay of the two teams' playoff match Wednesday when Meralco also came from behind to defeat Mahindra, thus grabbing the twice-to-beat advantage in their playoff for the No.4 spot. The win was Meralco's third straight over Mahindra in the conference. Import James White led Mahindra with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Game Monday: San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra Kings (Game 1; best-of-5 semis).
