Jayson Castro shook off his Achilles injury, returning from a one-game absence to lead the defending champion Tropang TNT to a 114-103 drubbing of the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Monday night. Castro finished with a game-high 26 points, four assists, and four boards in 25 minutes off the bench as the Texters recorded their first back-to-back wins in the conference. Import David Simon also played superbly for TNT, posting 20 points, 14 rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and two steals before fouling out in just 27 minutes of action. Jai Reyes and Ryan Reyes added 12 points apiece while Dylan Ababou and Troy Rosario each scored 11 markers. The Texters had little trouble dispatching a short-handed ROS squad missing its suspended coach Yeng Guiao and its top gunner Paul Lee who suffered a knee injury early in the game, sidelining him once again. TNT improved to an even 4-4 win-loss record to tie their victims and two other teams (Star and Mahindra) for sixth to ninth place in the team standings. Rain or Shine's loss spoiled the monster game of JR Quinahan, who scored a career-high 25 points on top of 12 boards in 29 minutes off the bench. Import Mo Charlo added 22 points and eight boards. Jericho Cruz added 21 points, 13 of them during garbage time in the fourth quarter. Mahindra 102, Alaska 94 Aldrech Ramos exploded for 25 points, all in the second half and 16 in the pivotal fourth quarter, to lead the Mahindra Enforcers to a stunning 102-94 upset win over the Alaska Aces. The 6'6" power forward shot 11-of-15 from the field off the bench and grabbed seven rebounds, allowing Mahindra to snap a three-game losing streak. The Enforcers improved to 4-4 win-loss record, forging a three-way tie at fifth to seventh place with Rain or Shine and Star. Alaska suffered a second straight setback, dropping to 5-3 and tying idle Barangay Ginebra at third to fourth spot. KG Canaleta also provided some sparks for Mahindra, scoring 17 points, including four three-pointers, while import Augustus Gilchrist posted 16 points, 15 rebounds and seven assists. Karl Dehesa and LA Revilla added 14 and 10 markers, respectively. Alaska trailed by just two points, 82-80, with about 6 minutes left. But Ramos scored six points in a 9-0 Mahindra run. His putback of a missed shot by LA Revilla with 3:18 left gave the Enforcers a 91-80 lead. The Aces managed to come to within six, 93-87, but Ramos poured cold water on the Alaska rally as he drilled back-to-back three-pointers to seal the victory for Mahindra. Import Shane Edwards led the Aces with 24 points and 13 rebounds. Calvin Abueva added 15 markers, 11 in the fourth, on top of six rebounds, and four assists. Games Sunday: Blackwater Elite vs. NLEX Road Warriors and Star Hotshots vs. San Miguel Beermen.
