Roger Pogoy came alive in the fourth quarter as TNT left Meralco a frustrated bunch, 101-84, to continue turning the corner in its PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup campaign, Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The veteran winger poured a season-high 34 points, 16 of which he made in the said period as he led the Tropang 5G’s pullaway after engaging in a nip-and-tuck affair against a Bolts side that’s feeling the effects of a tough schedule.
He nailed three of his five treys during the final frame, including two in back-to-back fashion to power the key 10-0 run for an 87-77 lead with 4:44 to go.
Pogoy then landed the biggest blow of the night, a four-pointer to beat the shot clock to push their lead to 97-84 with 1:10 left as the Grand Slam seekers went on to collect their third win in a row after a 0-3 start in the conference.
(C) PBA Images
“Admittedly, I want it to be a better record,” said head coach Chot Reyes. “But we can’t complain with [a] 3-3 [record], given the way that we started. The players did a great job staying connected and staying together.”
Calvin Oftana finished with 28 points, spiked by a 5-of-8 clip from three as he and Pogoy accounted for 10 of the Tropa’s 16 threes. He hauled down five rebounds, too, as the young forward was also crucial in their strong windup.
Rey Nambatac supplied 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists as the lefty floor general ignited the aforementioned run, doing so despite suffering an apparent groin injury prior. Poy Erram chipped in 10 markers.
“Fortunately, we were able to make that counter adjustment in the fourth quarter and like we always say in our team, as long as we defend well, our offense pretty much follows; it takes care of itself,” said the champion bench tactician.
TNT will have some more time to rest and recover as it won’t be playing until May 21, where it will be taking on Rain or Shine at the Ynares Center in Antipolo in a rematch of the last two semifinals this season.
(C) PBA Images
Cliff Hodge, on the other hand, had 23 points to lead Meralco in the loss, which dragged its record to below .500 as the team now totes a 3-4 card.
Chris Newsome scored 18 points. Aaron Black scored 15 while Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
The result has made the Bolts’ last four games of the eliminations a crucial stretch and eyes will be on Coach Luigi Trillo’s charges on how they would respond, given that they will all play those before May concludes.
The league’s representatives to the BCL Asia 2025 will next face the 5-0 Magnolia on Wednesday. May 14, also at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
TNT 101 – Pogoy 34, 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.
Quarterscores: 14-19, 45-40, 69-72, 101-84.
