To the quarterfinals they go.
TNT KaTropa had to survive a fiery Globalport Batang Pier comeback late in the game to score a 102-98 victory and book a spot in the 2017 PBA Philippine Cup quarterfinals Wednesday night at the Cuneta Astrodome.
The KaTropa’s victory, which sends their card to 6-4, advances them back to the All-Filipino playoffs for the 11th consecutive time dating back to 2006-07. Globalport, meanwhile, goes to 5-5.
“Wild game,” said TNT coach Nash Racela. “We led by almost 20 then habol. It’s very obvious that we are a very inconsistent team. It’s going to be hard heading into the playoffs with that kind of mentality.”
Rookie Roger Pogoy starred for TNT in the win, leading the KaTropa with 20 markers on 8-of-16 shooting. He also had four rebounds and one steal — a steal that proved to be crucial down the stretch.
“When somebody asked me about RR before the game, sabi ko Roger will be a given in terms of his effort on defense. It’s just a bonus for him to score. Malaking bigay ito sa amin because we have two-way players [like him],” said Racela of his rookie.
Pogoy received ample support from the veterans, starting with Mo Tautuaa who flirted with a double-double of 18 points and eight rebounds. Jayson Castro had 16 points, with 11 from the fourth period. Kelly Williams added 12.
TNT erected the game’s widest gap at 23, 97-76, after a 21-3 spurt mostly behind Pogoy and Castro with 5:35 to go in the game, but Globalport climbed back from the wide deficit to threaten TNT.
Behind Terrence Romeo, Mike Cortez, and Stanley Pringle, Globalport pulled off a vicious 22-2 run — highlighted by a handful of defensive stops and measly turnovers by TNT — to close within two, 100-98, with 35.9 left.
Globalport had chances to tie the match, but botched the game’s final play. Pringle attacked inside for a drive-and-kick play, but his pass was stolen by Pogoy and the loose ball was grabbed by Troy Rosario.
Rosario was fouled and was sent to the line, and his perfect conversion from the charity stripe was enough to preserve the narrow, four-point victory.
“We need to learn how to win ball games. If you noticed, we had [Matt] Ganuelas, Pogoy and Rosario in the end game. For them to have a chance to play in the end game, they need to learn,” explained Racela.
Romeo scored a game-high 35 markers on an 11-of-24 shooting from the field, grabbed nine boards, and dished out six dimes to pace Globalport. Cortez had 15, while Pringle made 14 on a dismal 6-of-14 clip.
Both squads almost shot the same percentage in the game. Globalport shot 35-of-84 for a 42 percent clip, while TNT shot 37-of-90 from the field for 41 percent. TNT barely won the battle in rebounds, 52-51, but moved the ball better six times, 25-19.
TNT will have their hands full on Saturday, January 28, as they face San Miguel in the Ynares Center at Antipolo City at 5:15 PM. Globalport will play Rain or Shine next on Sunday, January 29, 4:30 PM still at the Astrodome.
The Scores:
TNT (102) – Pogoy 20, Tautuaa 18, Castro 16, Williams 12, Reyes 7, De Ocampo 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Rosales 6, Rosario 6, Fonacier 3, Carey 2, Tamsi 0.
Globalport (98) – Romeo 35, Cortez 15, Pringle 14, Canaleta 8, Pennisi 6, Semerad 6, Maierofer 4, Paredes 3, Pessumal 3, Andrada 2, Quinahan 2.
Quarterscores: 23-23, 53-49, 77-73, 102-98.
