RR POGOY continued his high-scoring ways in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup, coming away with 28 points in TNT's 98-91 victory over Rain or Shine in Game One of their semifinal series on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Pogoy replicated his quarterfinal performance against Magnolia where he averaged 24 points in two wins that ended the season of the twice-to-beat Hotshots. This time he helped TNT draw first blood in the best-of-seven finals series.
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The Tropang 5G also dominated the boards with a 59-44 advantage following a quarterfinal series where the Elasto Painters got 21 rebounds from Jhonard Clarito during one of the matches against NLEX.
TNT, which beat Rain or Shine in the semifinals of the Governors' Cup and Commissioner's Cup, both via 4-1 blowouts, will look to gain a 2-0 advantage against the Elasto Painters in Game Two on Friday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Pogoy also got some help on the offensive end with Poy Erram making 16 points and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser adding 13 points.
Erram and Ganuelas-Rosser actually had double-doubles with the two grabbing 10 rebounds apiece. Calvin Oftana was the other double-double performer for TNT after producing 12 points and 10 rebounds.
More importantly, TNT was able to hold Rain or Shine, one of the league’s most prolific offensive teams, to less than 100 points.
“I thought our defense held,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “We know Rain or Shine is the second-highest scoring team in the league. They are averaging 108, 110 points a game. We want to keep them, if possible, below 90.
"We almost did that except we gave up a lot of fouls in the end.”
TNT took the lead for good at the tail-end of the third quarter when it went on a 10-0 run, most of them on follow-ups, that turned a 53-56 deficit into a 63-56 lead.
Andrei Caracut had 16 points, while Clarito had 14 points and seven rebounds for Rain or Shine, which was outrebounded 19-10 in the third quarter. Adrian Nocum contributed 13 markers.
The scores:
TNT 98 – Pogoy 28, Erram 16, Ganuelas-Rosser 13, Enciso 12, Oftana 12, Heading 11, Khobuntin 6, Williams 0, Galinato 0, Aurin 0, Vosotros 0.
Rain or Shine 91 – Caracut 16, Clarito 14, Nocum 13, Tiongson 12, Norwood 12, Mamuyac 6, Malonzo 6, Santillan 5, Porter 4, Datu 3, Asistio 0.
Quarters: 23-23; 41-41; 63-58; 98-91.
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