ROGER Pogoy scored a season-high 34 points as TNT won its third straight game, defeating Meralco, 101-84, on Sunday in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup at the Ninoy Aquno Stadium.
Pogoy heated up at the perfect time in the final minutes of the fourth quarter to help TNT pull away and level its record to 3-3 following a cold start to their grand slam bid.
The Bolts faltered to 3-4 after losing for the fourth time in their last five matches.
READ Rey Nambatac groin injury scare after crashing into camera
Pogoy hit a pair of threes as part of a 10-0 run that broke a 77-77 deadlock at the final eight-minute mark. He then sealed the win with a four-pointer to bring the Tropang 5G’s lead to 97-82 with 1:14 left.
TNT outscored Meralco, 32-12, in the fourth quarter to break open a close game that saw the Bolts still ahead, 72-69, entering the final period. The Tropang 5G also held Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto scoreless in that last canto
“I thought in the third quarter, Meralco made some great halftime adjustments to counter our defense. We had to make a counter-adjustment,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Fortunately, it worked and we were able to limit their scorers, Chris Newsome, Bong Quinto, and (Chris) Banchero from inflicting damage because that’s really the strength of this team.”
“If those guys get their shots and get their looks, they are very dangerous. Fortunately, we were able to make that counter-adjustment in the fourth quarter. Like we always say in our team, as long as we defend well, our offense pretty much follows and takes care of its own,” said Reyes.
Pogoy shot 12 of 18 from the field, which including a 5 of 8 clip from three, and 1 of 3 from four. He scored 16 points in the final quarter alone.
Calvin Oftana chipped in 28 points including 10 in the second quarter, while Rey Nambatac added 13 points before going down with a groin injury.
Cliff Hodge had 23 points on 11-of-17 shooting from the field, while Newsome added 18 for the Bolts, who couldn’t reprise their comeback win over NorthPort where they came back from five down in the final 23 seconds last Friday.
The scores:
TNT 101 – Pogoy 32, Oftana 28, Nambatac 13, Erram 10, Khobuntin 6, Williams 6, Enciso 4, Heruela 0, Varilla 0, Aurin 0.
Meralco 84 – Hodge 23, Newsome 18, Black 15, Almazan 12, Quinto 11, Banchero 3, Cansino 2, Bates 0, Jose 0, Maguliano 0, Rios 0.
Quarters: 14-19; 45-40; 69-72; 101-84.
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.
