TNT overcame a sluggish start and ran past Phoenix Super LPG, 110-91, to extend its perfect run to four in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Monday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center in Pampanga.
Roger Pogoy played like he wasn’t nursing a swollen right ankle as he powered the Tropang Giga with 30 points, half of which came from beyond the arc, along with five rebounds, two assists, and a block.
“This kid, we call him ‘The Wolverine’. For us coaches, we’re supposed to let him rest. But this kid, he wants to play,” lauded TNT head coach Bong Ravena of Pogoy. “We’re lucky to have players like that, all heart.”
Poy Erram continued his solid outings with 18 points, 15 rebounds, and three blocks. Simon Enciso made 13 points, while Ray Parks finished with 12 points, six rebounds, and five assists.
Troy Rosario made 11 points and seven boards, while Jayson Castro and Ryan Reyes each chipped in 10 markers as a total of seven players finished in double figures in the win that propelled TNT on top of the standings alone.
The Tropang Giga saw themselves down by 14 in the second frame before finding their groove late in the third, closing the period with nine straight points to erect a 75-68 advantage which they would never let go of.
Erram hit a three with 10:54 in the final quarter, and Pogoy and Parks joined the fray as TNT made a 10-4 run for an 85-72 lead with 9:16 to go. An Enciso lay-up with 1:40 left gave them their biggest lead at 20, 107-87.
“During the first half, we were really having a hard time with adjustments because they started so well and so strong. Give credit to Phoenix as well because they’re not pushovers,” Ravena said.
Matthew Wright led Phoenix with 31 points as the Fuel Masters absorbed their first defeat in the bubble, dropping to 2-1. Most of his points came in from the foul line as he sank all 13 shots he was awarded.
According to PBA stats chief Fidel Mangonon III, that’s the most without a miss in a game since LA Tenorio also went 13-of-13 on Feb. 7, 2017 in Ginebra’s 108-97 win over Alaska that ousted the latter in the Philippine Cup quarterfinals.
Also, that is tied for fourth all-time most freebies made without a miss in a game by a local player in the PBA. Aside from Wright and Tenorio, big man Jervy Cruz also did it in a game in 2012, when he was still with Rain or Shine.
Pogoy and Wright are the only players to have two 30-point games this season so far. Pogoy had 45 on opening day versus Alaska last Oct. 11, while Wright made 36 against Meralco the following night.
TNT will look to stretch its streak to five against former coach Nash Racela and Blackwater on Thursday, Oct. 22, at 4:00 p.m., while Phoenix plans to get back on track versus Magnolia on Friday, Oct. 23, at 6:45 p.m.
The Scores:
TNT (110) – Pogoy 30, Erram 18, Enciso 13, Parks 12, Rosario 11, Reyes 10, Castro 10, De Leon 3, Washington 3, Carey 0, Alejandro 0, Semerad 0, Montalbo 0, Vosotros 0, Flores 0.
Phoenix (91) – Wright 31, Napoles 10, Perkins 8, Jazul 7, Chua 7, Reyes 6, Marcelo 5, Garcia 5, Heruela 4, Gamboa 4, Intal 4, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 24-24, 45-54. 75-68, 110-91
