By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT opened up its PBA Season 50 buildup on the wrong foot, bowing to UAE league champion Al Sharjah, 93-74, in its first game in the Abu Dhabi International Basketball Championship on Tuesday, Sept 30.
The Tropang 5G found little answer to Demarko Dickerson, whose near triple-double performance allowed Al Sharjah pull away beginning the second frame.
TNT actually had a solid start to the contest, taking a 27-22 lead in the opening quarter before collapsing in the second where the Tropang Giga got outscored, 30-14.
The Tropa did everything to recover but the UAE-based team was simply too poised in the second half.
Dickerson was at the forefront of the assault with 27 points, 12 assists and eight rebounds.
Rey Nambatac paced TNT with 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.
TNT will try to bounce back against another UAE-based club in Al Dhafra on Wednesday, Oct. 1
It is also coming off a 114-81 loss to Lebanese powerhouse club Al Riyadi.
