Roger Pogoy took the lead and the others followed as TNT kept its Grand Slam bid very much alive by disabling Magnolia’s win-once bonus, 89-88, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals at the Philsports Arena Wednesday.
The seasoned gunner finished with 30 points, none more important than his go-ahead floater for the 78-77 lead, which triggered the crucial rally that gave the Tropang 5G enough confidence to complete the fightback from 13 down.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kelly Williams knocked down a trey each before Calvin Oftana came through with a layup to build an 88-81 lead with 2:02 left.
And when the Hotshots threatened again with Paul Lee nailing a booming four-pointer to tie things up at 88-all with 37.4 seconds left, the treble seekers remained composed to ultimately come away with the triumph.
Williams split his shots from the foul line with 6.8 ticks to spare for the eventual final count. Then Pogoy stripped the ball away from Zavier Lucero to spoil their foes’ plans of shooting for the potential game-winner as time expired.
(C) PBA Images
“‘Yung mindset ko lang coming into this game is ayoko lang magpatalo. Ayokong magbakasyon,” said Pogoy, who shot 13-of-23 from the field.
Oftana was big as well on offense with 21 points, alongside 16 rebounds and five assists in a showing that also saw him rack up three steals.
Williams supplied 12 points and seven rebounds. Meanwhile, Ganuelas-Rosser added 10 markers and six rebounds as he overcame foul trouble by coming through with huge shots down the stretch in a solid return.
BGR was suspended for a game — coincidentally against Magnolia — and also made to pay a fine of Php 20,000 by the Commissioner’s Office as a disciplinary action for his elbow to the head of Troy Rosario during their loss to Ginebra.
“We really felt his absence in the last game because Zavier Lucero, he killed us. At least we had somebody who could match up with him,” said Coach Chot Reyes. “We told Brandon just to make sure to be a presence.”
Jordan Heading finished with 10 points as well, with six rebounds in his first playoff game with TNT.
The Tropang 5G will look to finish the job in the sudden death on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium. Game time is set at 5:00 PM.
Despite being out for the season with injury, Jayson Castro sat by the bench in a show of support for his team.
(C) PBA Images
Lee, on the other hand, made 15 points. Lucero and William Navarro produced 14 apiece for Magnolia, who lost to the very same team it beat just last Friday to seal the third seed and a twice-to-beat advantage.
Jerom Lastimosa made 12 points, albeit on 14 shots and six rebounds. Meanwhile, Ian Sangalang and Rome Dela Rosa added 10 markers each in a losing effort.
The Scores:
TNT 89 – Pogoy 30, Oftana 21, Williams 12, Heading 10, Rosser 10, Erram 4, Galinato 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Aurin 0, Enciso 0, Varilla 0.
Magnolia 88 – Lee 15, Navarro 14, Lucero 14, Lastimosa 12, Sangalang 10, Dela Rosa 10, Barroca 6, Dionisio 4, Laput 2, Reavis 1, Alfaro 0.
Quarterscores: 18-22, 37-44, 61-65, 89-88.
