MANILA – Roger Pogoy knocked down timely baskets in the fourth quarter as TNT Tropang 5G scored a 101-84 victory over sister team Meralco Bolts in the PBA Philippine Cup on Sunday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.
With the score tied at 77-all with over seven minutes left, Rey Nambatac broke the deadlock for TNT with a layup before Pogoy split his free throws before unloading consecutive triples for an 86-77 lead.
The Bolts still tried to catch up as they cut the deficit to 82-89 behind conversions from Clifford Hodge, but an inside hit and a four-point shot by Pogoy and another inside basket from John Paul Erram sealed the win for the Tropang 5G.
Pogoy finished with 34 points, including five three-point conversions, to go with three rebounds, one steal, and an assist as the Tropang 5G notched their third consecutive win for a 3-3 win-loss slate.
Calvin Oftana added 28 markers while also connecting five three-pointers, Nambatac tallied 13 points before he exited late in the fourth period with a groin injury, and Erram ended up with 10 points for TNT.
“Like what we always said, when we defend well, our offense will follow,” Tropang 5G head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said after the game. “(Meralco) made some great adjustments in the third quarter, so we had to ours, and good thing it worked.”
Hodge led the Bolts with 23 points, Chris Newsome added 18 markers, while Aaron Black, Raymond Almazan, and Kier John Quinto chipped in 15, 12, and 11, respectively, for the reigning champions Bolts, who dropped to a 3-3 mark.
Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen vented their frustration at Phoenix Fuel Masters with an 111-92 victory.
Jaymar Perez anchored the Beermen’s offense with 26 points, including two three-pointers, while Celedonio Trollano came off the bench to contribute 21 markers as they improved to a 4-2 win-loss slate.
Kai Ballungay finished with 23 points to lead the Fuel Masters, while Kenneth Tuffin and Jason Perkins supplied 16 and 15 markers, respectively, as they fell to a 2-4 win-loss slate./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 101 – Pogoy 34, Oftana 28, Nambatac 13, Erram 10, Khobuntin 6, Williams 6, Enciso 4, Heruela 0, Varilla 0, Aurin 0.
MERALCO 84 – Hodge 23, Newsome 18, Black 15, Almazan 12, Quinto 11, Banchero 3, Cansino 2, Bates 0, Jose 0, Maguliano 0, Rios 0.
Quarterscores: 14-19, 45-40, 69-72, 101-84.
