PBA: RR Pogoy, TNT step up in QF vs Magnolia after wake-up call from Chot Reyes

TNT Tropang 5G refused to go quietly.

Facing elimination and a twice-to-beat disadvantage, the no. 6 seed stunned the no. 3 Magnolia Hotshots, 89-88, in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, June 18, keeping their Grand Slam hopes alive with one clutch win.

[RELATED STORY: RR Pogoy refuses to go home as TNT drags Magnolia to PBA do-or-die: 'Ayaw ko pang magbakasyon’]

The victory erased Magnolia’s playoff cushion and forced a do-or-die matchup for a semifinal.

For TNT, it’s not just another playoff run—it’s a shot at history. The franchise is chasing only its second Grand Slam attempt, the first dating back to 2011, which fell heartbreakingly short in Game 7 of the Governors’ Cup Finals.

But before the Tropang 5G could rally on the hardwood, they had to be shaken awake at practice. Head coach Chot Reyes delivered a no-holds-barred challenge to his team: how badly did they want to win it all?

[ALSO READ: PBA: Injured Jayson Castro provides big boost for TNT to stay alive vs Magnolia]

RR Pogoy responded with fire.

The veteran guard dropped 30 points in the narrow escape and later revealed the emotional spark behind the performance.

“'Pag nagagalit na si coach, 'pag nagtatanong na ano gusto namin, talagang the next game parang added fuel talaga, lahat talagang gusto magpakamatay,” said Pogoy.

[ALSO READ: Calvin Oftana plays through pain in TNT’s win vs Magnolia in PBA quarterfinals]

“Talagang ganoon palagi 'pag nagagalit si coach. Kasi minsan pinapabayaan kami, eh nagre-relax. 'Pag nagalit na si coach talagang magigising ka.”

TNT now stands one win away from the semifinals—and still in the hunt for a rare Grand Slam.

[ALSO READ: Chot Reyes keeps TNT grounded after stunning Magnolia to stay in PBA Grand Slam hunt]

(With reports from Jan Ballesteros)

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[Editor's note: This article was written by a member of the One Sports Digital with the help of AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]