Roger Pogoy was instrumental in keeping the TNT Tropang 5G's Grand Slam hopes alive in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup.
Roger Pogoy did not want to go on a vacation just yet.
So he made it a point to deliver in Grand Slam-seeking TNT’s PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinal match against Magnolia at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig Wednesday, June 18.
Pogoy fired 30 points and the Tropang 5G nipped Magnolia, 89-88, to force a do-or-die battle for a semis seat on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate.
“'Yong mindset lang coming into this game, ayaw kong magpatalo, ayaw ko pang magbaksyon,” said Pogoy, whose team climbed a 13-point hole, 50-37, at the onset of the third quarter.
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Pogoy, who went scoreless in the first quarter, found his groove in the second half. He scattered 22 points there, 12 of which in the fourth.
His floater with 4:10 left to play ignited a 12-4 rally that pushed the Tropang 5G further ahead, 88-81.\
RR Pogoy explodes with 22 points in the second half. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
The Hotshots, however, were just as resilient.
Magnolia responded with a quick 7-to-nothing run capped by a cold-blooded Paul Lee shot from way beyond the four-point line to tie the count at 88-all.
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But TNT turned to its veteran Kelly Williams, who showed nerves of steel and canned one from the foul line to seal the win with 6.8 ticks remaining.
Calvin Oftana is nursing a right ankle sprain but still managed to contribute a double-double with his 21 points and 16 rebounds. He also had five assists and three steals.
Williams registered 12 points and seven rebounds, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jordan Heading added 10 points apiece.
“We made a concerted effort to cut down our turnovers,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes, whose team logged 18 turnovers, three more than the Hotshots.
Over at Magnolia, Lee topscored with 15 points, a rebound, three assists and a steal.
Zavier Lucero and William Navarro scored 14 each and combined for 10 rebounds and five assists, while Jerom Lasimosa put up 10 points and five rebounds.
TNT vs. Magnolia scores:
TNT 89– Pogoy 30, Oftana 21, Williams 12, Heading 10, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Erram 4, Galinato 2, Heruela 0, Aurin 0, Enciso 0, Varilla 0, Khobuntin 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.