Clutch plays down the stretch helped the TNT Katropa avoid being chopped by the upset axe from the hands of a win-hungry Alaska Aces, 107-106, in the 2017 Governor’s Cup, Friday night at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
“We all know that Alaska is becoming more and more dangerous. I’ve been following their games,” said TNT head coach Nash Racela, as the Katropa improved to 2-1, while their counterparts dropped to 0-4.
Roger Pogoy was the star of that fourth quarter rally, scoring 16 of his second career-best 25 points on 7-of-8 shooting from downtown. Jayson Castro filled the stat sheet with 23 markers, nine rebounds, and 10 assists
The Katropa were once down 14, 63-49, midway into the third canto, but came back in the final frame as they finally clicked on both ends. Pogoy’s back-to-back baskets sent the game to a deadlock at 99 with 2:19 on the clock.
LaDontae Henton made a bucket to break the tie 17 ticks later, but Pogoy proved to be too hot to handle, nailing a tough step-back triple over the defense of Chris Banchero to lift the white shirts to their first lead, 102-101.
Henton took the deuce back and sent the Aces ahead again, but that proved to be Alaska’s last taste of the lead, as Ranidel De Ocampo’s long jumper and Castro’s pull-up trey made it a two-possession lead, 107-103, 45.5 seconds left.
The Aces still had a chance to steal TNT’s thunder, as Henton again made a triple and forced the Katropa into an error. But they failed to do so, as Henton missed and Casio failed to put up a shot as time expired.
“It was the players who decided to make the right plays. It wasn’t us anymore. We just guided them,” lauded Racela of his wards’ effort in the end-game. “But in the end, what brought us the win was the stops on defense.”
Import Michael Craig, Jr., who was fouled out with 5:04 left to play, still top-billed for TNT with 28 points and 19 rebounds. Troy Rosario chipped in 15 markers.
The loss puts in vain the performance of Henton, who carried the load for Alaska with a game-high 42 points on 37 attempts to go with 22 caroms, and the return of Calvin Abueva, who racked up 19 points and 11 rebounds.
TNT shot 48 percent from the floor, and clearly dished the ball better as they tallied 21 assists, much higher than the Aces’ 10. However, they had 19 turnovers, and were outplayed in terms of rebounds, 50-62
TNT will look to post another win versus Rain or Shine on August 20, Sunday, 6:45 PM, still at the Big Dome, while Alaska will aim to end the curse against Blackwater on August 23, Wednesday, 4:15 PM at the Mall of Asia Arena.
The Scores:
TNT 107 – Craig 28, Pogoy 25, Castro 23, Rosario 15, De Ocampo 7, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tautuaa 2, Carey 0, Hernandez 0, Semerad 0.
Alaska 106 – Henton 42, Abueva 19, Manuel 13, Banchero 12, Casio 6, Baclao 4, Enciso 4, Magat 2, Hontiveros 2, Racal 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 38-47, 71-80, 107-106.
