RR POGOY set the tone for TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup finals by hitting his outside shots.
The veteran guard buried three straight triples at one point in the first quarter to help the Tropang Giga to a 95-89 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 at the Mall of Asia Arena.
READ: TNT pulls off masterful win over Ginebra in Game 1 of PBA Finals
Pogoy’s trio of treys allowed TNT to grab a 20-16 advantage in the first quarter, a lead that it never conceded until the final buzzer, as it even reached as high as 18 points.
Pogoy admitted an opportunity to practice at Mall of Asia Arena on Thursday night helped in getting familiar with the Pasay venue again. The PBA hasn’t played there in 10 months - but for Pogoy and the rest of TNT, it was a lot longer.
READ: PBA draws big crowd in return to MOA Arena
“Sa transition din kasi ‘yun eh, tapos ang laking bagay din talaga nung nag-ensayo kami dito kahapon. Nag-shooting talaga ako,” said Pogoy.
“Pinasahan ako ni Almond [Vosotros] tsaka ni [Ping] Exciminiano. Hindi sila tumitira. Ako lang ‘yung tumitira.”
When asked when was the last time he played at Mall of Asia Arena, Pogoy answered he can’t even remember.
“Two years, three years na ata. Kaya kailangan talaga (mag-practice). Buti na lang, nag-ensayo kami dito kahapon. Factor talaga ‘yun,” said Pogoy.
Pogoy eventually finished with a 5-of-10 clip from threes, as his teammates’ outside shots also fell, totalling 14-of-37.
Bisayas bring it
Aside from getting a feel of the modern sporting venue once more, Pogoy initiated a talk with Bisaya teammates Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac, reminding them that they can’t afford a poor showing in any of the finals games.
“’Yung mindset namin coming to this finals talaga, kinausap ko talaga si Rey at si Calvin, sabi ko sa kanila, bawal bad game sa atin. Bawal tayo mag-bad game kasi kailangan na kailangan tayo. Kung gusto natin manalo, kailangan good game tayo palagi,” said Pogoy.
Indeed, Oftana and Nambatac also had a good games each with 10 points, while also making two treys apiece. The former also grabbed nine rebounds.
“’Yun nga palagi kong sinasabi kay Calvin na kung gusto naming manalo, sana pumasok ‘yung mga three points namin. Ngayon, parang God’s blessing na pumasok lahat. Nag-open up ‘yung depensa ng Ginebra nung nakaka-atake si Rondae [Hollis-Jefferson],” said Pogoy.
Despite their shooting display in Game 1, Pogoy said defense will remain a priority for TNT as the series progresses.
“Iniisip naman namin palagi na kahit sino kalaban namin, basta dumepensa lang kami, may chance kami manalo. ‘Yun lagi sinasabi ni coach [Chot Reyes]. Basta dumepensa kami, may chance kami.” said Pogoy.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
