TNT Tropang Giga continued its unbeaten run in the 2020 Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup with another spectacular victory as they cut down the game but overmatched Blackwater Elite.
TNT tallied its fifth consecutive win with a 109-96 romp over the Elite yesterday, Thursday, October 22, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.
TNT jumped out to an early lead, methodically built that advantage up quarter-by-quarter to post the convincing victory.
Roger Pogoy finished with 20 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals to earn the Player of the Game award.
It was his second consecutive Player of the Game citation but the TNT guard was quick to credit his teammates for another stellar game.
“Shout out to my teammates for this (award). Sa sistema ko lang nakukuha ang points ko. Sa mga pasa nila (teammates). Sumusunod lang kami sa instructions ni coach,” said Pogoy.
TNT missed the services of veteran guard Jayson Castro who was rested due to an injury. But the young squad was quick to adjust.
“Ganyan talaga kami. Pag may injured dapat may mag step up para sa kanya. Nag step up lang kami this game,” said Pogoy.
TNT scored big from three-point distance converting 13-of-35 for 39 points. But the Elite almost matched that output with their own 12-of-32 for 36 points. TNT’s big edge came from points inside the paint where they outscored the Elite, 42-28.
Tropang Giga (5 wins, 0 loss) thus climbed back into solo leadership. Trailing them closely are unbeaten teams Barangay Ginebra (4-0) and Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-0).
Tied at fourth to seventh place are the Alaska Aces (2-2), the Meralco Bolts (2-2), the San Miguel Beermen (2-2), and Phoenix Super LPG (2-2).
The other teams include Blackwater (2-3), Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (1-3), the NLEX Road Warriors (1-3), the Terrafirma Dyip (0-3) the NorthPort Batang Pier (0-4).
Blackwater suffered its second consecutive blowout loss following a 120-82 rout suffered at the hands of the Aces last Tuesday, October 20.
TNT jumped out to a fast start grabbing an early initiative. Guard Simon Enciso drilled back-to-back three pointers to push TNT to a nine-point, 34-25, advantage after the first period.
Tropang Giga slowly built up its advantage. Poy Erram converted two free throws followed by a driving layup by Pogoy which hiked the Tropang Giga lead to 12 markers, 61-49, at halftime.
The Tropang Giga continue to increase its lead in the third. Pogoy drove into the paint and drained a jumper. He followed that up with a pair of free throws which increased the TNT lead to 14 points, 87-73, after three quarters.
The scores:
TNT Tropang Giga 109 – Roger Pogoy 20, Bobby Ray Parks 18, Troy Rosario 17, Simon Enciso 16, Poy Erram 14, Jay Washington 6, Ryan Reyes 5, Dave Semerad 5, Almond Vosotros 4, Lervyn Flores 2, Samboy De Leon 2, Jayjay Alejandro 0.
Blackwater Elite 96 – Don Trollano 23, Mike Tolomia 12, Frank Golla 9, Ed Daquioag 8, Roi Sumang 8, Jonjon Gabriel 7, Niño Canaleta 3, Matt Salem 3, Ron Dennison 3, Paul Desiderio 2, Diego Dario 2, Richard Escoto 0.
Quarter scores: 34-25, 61-49, 87-73, 109-96.
