MANILA, Philippines — Malinaw na sinapawan ni import Terrence Jones si Chris McCullough sa 109-96 paggupo ng TNT Katropa laban sa San Miguel sa Game One ng 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals noong Linggo.
Humakot ang 6-foot-8 na si Jones ng 41 points, 12 rebounds, 8 assists at 3 blocks para sa 1-0 bentahe ng Tropang Texters sa kanilang best-of-seven championship series ng Beermen.
Tumapos naman si McCullough na may 33 markers, 15 boards, 3 assists, 2 steals, 2 blocks at 9 turnovers.
“If my team ends up winning, then, that’s the match-up that I care about, who wins or who loses,” sabi ng 27-anyos na si Jones, ang No. 18 overall pick ng Houston Rockets noong 2012 NBA Draft.
Sa nasabing series opener ay kaagad kumamada si Jones ng 26 points sa first half kung saan kinuha ng TNT Katropa ang 17-point lead, 69-42 para iwanan ang San Miguel.
Naging mabisa naman ang depensa ni Don Trollano kay McCullough, ang No. 29 overall selection ng Brooklyn Nets noong 2015 NBA Draft.
Ayon kay McCullough, nakuha lamang ng Tropang Texters ang 1-0 bentahe sa kanilang title showdown at maaari pang makatabla ang Beermen.
“It’s Game 1, best-of-7, there’s a lot of basketball to be played, and come out ready for the next game,” wika ni McCullough.