MANILA — The TNT KaTropa Texters showed toughness and endgame poise to hack out a 102-97 victory over the San Miguer Beermen in Game 4 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals Wednesday night. The victory tied the best-of-seven series at 2-2. Hulking import Joshua Smith started for TNT for the first time in the series, bulldozing his way to 20 points and 15 rebounds in 30 minutes. Smith had an extra motivation to lead his team to victory as his wife Kristy was expected to give birth Thursday. The Texters used the occasion to inspire themselves as they wore "Kristy" patches on their jerseys. This time around, Smith found ample local support with Jayson Castro, Ranidel de Ocampo, Troy Rosario and Roger Pogoy all scoring in double digits. Castro finished with 17 points, including a highlight-reel reverse layup off SMB import Charles Rhodes in the endgame that added extra cushion to TNT's lead. The player called "The Blur" also had four assists in 23 minutes off the bench. More importantly, he only had two turnovers unlike in previous games where he had double-digit TOs. De Ocampo added 13 points, five boards, three assists, and one block in 27 minutes. Pogoy and Rosario, who were both held scoreless in Game 3, produced 14 and 13 points, respectively. RR Garcia chipped in 10 markers. Newly-minted Best Import Charles Rhodes led SMB with 22 points and hauled 8 rebounds before he was ejected late in the game after incurring his second technical foul. Alex Cabagnot scored 18 points along with 6 boards and 5 assists. Marcio Lassiter added 14 points and 7 rebounds. Reigning 3-time MVP June Mar Fajardo chipped in 13 points and 9 rebounds but had 5 turnovers in 27 minutes. He was plagued by foul trouble and eventually fouled out with still over two minutes left and his team trailing by only 5 points. He incurred his sixth and last foul on Smith, who then made a crucial 3-point play that padded TNT's lead to 8 points. Arwind Santos chipped in 12 points. He was benched for 3 minutes early in the fourth after committing a flagrant foul penalty 1 on Smith. Chris Ross, who was earlier named Best Player of the Conference, was only good for 8 points. Game Friday: San Miguel Beermen vs. TNT KaTropa Texters (Game 5 of best-of-7 finals; Series tied 2-2).
