MAHINDRA showed poise down the stretch to beat TNT Katropa, 107-104, to clinch its first playoff appearance in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governors’ Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Colisuem.
The Enforcer rode on the heroics of James White, LA Revilla and Paolo Taha in the closing minutes to hang on for the victory and hand Katropa their first loss after a 6-0 start.
White finished with 24 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks to lead Mahindra, which propelled to solo second spot with a 6-2 win-loss mark.
Taha led the Enforcer’s bench mob with 15 points, Niño Canaleta chipped in 13, Revilla had 12, while Michael Digregorio had 11 for acting Head Coach Chris Gavina.
Mahindra was in full control after Revilla, Canaleta and White conspired for an 11-5 exchange to erect a 101-92 lead with 2:10 remaining.
TNT Katropa threatened at 96-101, but turnovers by Mychal Ammons and Ryan Reyes allowed the Enforcer to get some distance at 104-96 with 30 seconds left.
Jayson Castro led Katropa with 33 points, while Ammons had 20 points and 15 boards. Asian import Michael Madanly had a disappointing game, finishing with just two points and was 0-of-seven from beyond the arc.
Madanly had 30 markers in TNT Katropa’s 124-117 win over Phoenix spiked by eight three-pointers.
Larry Fonacier and Troy Rosario contributed 13 and 11 markers respectively for Katropa, who remained on top of the standings with a 6-1 slate.