Roger Pogoy submits a 30-point efficiency as TNT fights again from a double-digit deficit to stay on observe of turning into simply the fifth franchise in league historical past to win all three conferences in a single season
MANILA, Philippines – TNT’s Grand Slam bid lives on.
The Tropang 5G escaped elimination and stayed within the operating within the PBA Philippine Cup after a pulsating 89-88 win over twice-to-beat Magnolia on the PhilSports Area on Wednesday, June 18.
Roger Pogoy unloaded a game-high 30 factors as sixth-seeded TNT fought again from a double-digit deficit to stay on observe of turning into simply the fifth franchise in league historical past to win all three conferences in a single season.
“It’s actually not in our minds, however my angle is these guys have completed a lot already this 12 months, if the Grand Slam isn’t for us, it’s not for us. However nobody’s going to remove what we’ve achieved already this season,” mentioned Tropang 5G head coach Chot Reyes.
“We had an extended discuss earlier than apply the opposite day to ask them how a lot they need it — if that is one thing they actually, really need as a result of it’s going to be actually, actually laborious.”
TNT confirmed its burning need to assert its place within the PBA pantheon because it climbed out of a 13-point gap then leaned on the quartet of Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser within the fourth quarter to pressure a do-or-die duel set on Saturday, June 21, on the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Pogoy unloaded 12 factors within the ultimate interval, his final bucket giving the Tropang 5G the higher hand at 78-77, earlier than Ganuelas-Rosser, Williams, and Oftana joined palms in an 11-4 blitz that propped an 88-81 lead with two minutes left.
Ganuelas-Rosser sank a pair of free throws and a three-pointer to spark that run, which concluded with a Williams triple and an Oftana layup.
However the Hotshots refused to go away, knotting the rating at 88-88 following a trey from Rome dela Rosa and a four-point shot by Paul Lee with beneath 40 seconds remaining.
Thankfully for TNT, Williams grabbed an offensive rebound after two Oftana misses then received fouled throughout a shot try, finally pulling down one in all his two free throws to regain the lead for his aspect.
Pogoy then additionally displayed his defensive chops, stopping Magnolia’s Zavier Lucero from getting a shot off as time expired.
Oftana completed with 21 factors, 16 rebounds, 5 assists, and three steals to backstop Pogoy, whereas Williams and Ganuelas-Rosser chipped in 12 and 10 factors, respectively, and mixed for 13 rebounds.
It was bounce-back efficiency for Ganuelas-Rosser after he served a one-game suspension for a flagrant foul on Barangay Ginebra’s Troy Rosario — his absence severely felt because the Tropang 5G missed the highest 4 after shedding to the Hotshots within the ultimate sport of the elimination spherical.
Jordan Heading added 10 factors, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, and three steals within the win, his first with the TNT since his commerce from Converge.
“What we had in our minds is we’re coming again and we’re taking part in on Saturday. Going to this sport, we set our apply schedule to tomorrow and Friday as a result of we have been hell-bent on taking part in on Saturday,” mentioned Reyes.
Lee topscored for Magnolia with 15 factors, Lucero and William Navarro put up 14 factors every, whereas Jerome Lastimosa tallied 12 factors and 6 assists.
Mark Barroca posted 6 factors, assists and 9 rebounds within the loss, which marked the Hotshots’ fourth within the final six video games.
The Scores
TNT 89– Pogoy 30, Oftana 21, Williams 12, Heading 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Erram 4, Galinato 2, Heruela 0, Aurin 0, Enciso 0, Varilla 0, Khobuntin 0.
Magnolia 88 – Lee 15, Navarro 14, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 12, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 10, Barroca 6, Dionisio 4, Laput 2, Reavis 1, Alfaro 0.
Quarters: 18-22, 37-44, 61-65, 89-88.
– Rappler.com
