By Jonas Terrado

Unbeaten TNT KaTropa passed the first big test of the PBA Governors’ Cup after outlasting a spirited challenge by the Columbian Dyip 125-110 Saturday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

TNT KaTropa’s Jayson Castro goes for a layup against Columbian’s CJ Perez. (PBA Images)

Jayson Castro led a decisive stretch in the fourth even as the KaTropa endured a whirlwind attempt by the Dyip to tie the game late to pick up their fourth straight win and restore hold on the solo lead in the eliminations.

McDaniels had 29 points, 17 rebounds, six assists and five blocks and Pogoy added 27 points, eight rebounds and three steals.

Castro finished with 25 points, including seven straight that saw TNT take the lead for good after Columbian went ahead 111-110 on two free throws by import Khapri Alston with 4:29 to go in the fourth.

He made a layup, completed a three-point play and hit two free throws against a Perez basket to make it 116-112 in favor of the KaTropa with three minutes to go.

Perez kept the Dyip on the door with a three-pointer to trim the gap to a single point but Troy Rosario’s layup and import KJ McDaniels’ three-point play put the KaTropa in front 121-115, 1:32 left.

Alston sank two charities, Trollano scored for TNT and Perez knocked down a three as Columbian trailed 123-120 with under a minute to go.

Columbian, though, failed to capitalize on a pair of stops when Perez and McCarthy missed a pair of threes. Perez later stole the ball from Trollano but he and McCarthy couldn’t make their two-point attempts.

Roger Pogoy eventually sank two freebies off an Alston foul with 11 seconds left for the final count.

Alston made life difficult for TNT in the shaded lane and scored 38 points with 13 rebounds and four steals.

Perez added 26 points on five triples but the Dyip dropped to an even 2-2 record.

The scores:

TNT KATROPA 125 — McDaniels 29, Pogoy 27, Castro 25, Trollano 19, Rosario 7, Carey 6, Reyes 6, Vosotros 4, De Leon 2, A. Semerad 0.

COLUMBIAN 120 — Alston 38, McCarthy 26, Perez 23, Corpuz 9, Cahilig 9, Tiongson 8, Celda 3, Flores 2, Faundo 2, Cabrera 0, Calvo 0, Camson 0.

Quarters: 32-31; 66-53; 94-91; 125-120.

Tags: 2019 PBA Governors' Cup , Columbian Dyip , TNT Katropa