SMART CLARK GIGA CITY — TNT has its sights set on equalizing the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup Finals when it locks horns with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel in Game Four, Sunday night at AUF Sports and Cultural Center.
Game time is at 6:00 p.m., with the Tropang Giga looking to make it two in a row following their dominant 88-67 victory back in Game Three last Friday. The win also snapped their three-game losing skid to the Gin Kings inside the bubble.
Ray Parks remains doubtful for the upcoming match due to a strained left calf he aggravated in the series opener. Fortunately, his teammates have been doing a tremendous job stepping up in his absence.
A total of five players finished in double figures last game, with Roger Pogoy leading the way with his 18 markers — further proof that he has been TNT’s most consistent gunner in this titular bout.
Jayson Castro found his touch once more and was a stabilizing presence with 15 points and 10 assists. And, of course, the frontline tandem of Troy Rosario and Poy Erram came alive in the make-or-break match.
Rosario had his best game of the Finals so far with 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting. Meanwhile, Erram notched 12 markers and 14 boards as he got away from foul trouble — he got four in Game One, then five in the next game.
Simon Enciso was in his element as well with 14 points four triples. His most significant contribution, though, was his defense on Stanley Pringle, whom he held to just 11 markers after averaging 29.0 points in the first two games.
Head coach Bong Ravena hopes that his charges will be able to continue their fine play as they look to reduce the series to a virtual best-of-three.
“Kung ganun lang ang gagawin namin, mas malaki ang chance. We stick to our roles, we have a better chance of winning the game,” he said.
“I just hope na matuloy lang namin ‘yung ganitong klaseng laro.”
Still, it isn’t lost on TNT what the opposition is capable of. Before regaining control of Game Three, they had to weather another third quarter assault by the Barangay that brought flashbacks of Game Two.
From 15 points down, the quartet of LA Tenorio, Japeth Aguilar, Scottie Thompson, and Aljon Mariano buckled down to work. The Gin Kings were soon facing only a 54-56 deficit with 2:51 remaining.
Given that, the rest of the Tropang Giga are expecting no less than a furious fightback from Ginebra, who are eager to bounce back and move on the threshold of the coveted Jun Bernardino Trophy.
“We’re still in control of the series. They broke whatever little momentum we had,” head coach Tim Cone.
“We’ll see if we can get it back.”
