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[av_heading heading=’TNT rallies past Alaska, 107-106 ‘ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”]
BY ADRIAN STEWART CO
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MANILA – Roger Pogoy anchored TNT Katropa’s huge fight back in the fourth quarter to score a 107-106 victory over the Alaska Aces in the 2017 Oppo PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Trailing 95-82 halfway in the final quarter, the Katropa leaned on Pogoy’s back-to-back triples to come to within 95-90.
After the Aces increased the lead to 99-92, Pogoy again rose to the occasion with eight straight points to give the Katropa a 102-101 lead.
The Aces tasted the lead for the last time at 103-102 on a conversion by import LaDontae Henton before the Katropa built a four-point edge at 107-103 on an inside hit by Ranidel de Ocampo and a triple by Jayson Castro.
The Aces managed to come to within a single point on a triple by Henton at 107-106 before forcing Katropa’s Kelly Williams to miss on the other end. However, Henton misfired his game-winning attempt at the buzzer.
Pogoy finished with 25 points, with 16 coming in the final quarter, for the Katropa, which bounced back from their loss to the San Miguel Beermen on Wednesday to improve to 2-1 win-loss slate.
Reinforcement Michael Craig Jr. led the way with double-double 28 points and 19 rebounds, while Castro flirted with triple-double with 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds for the Katropa.
Henton, meanwhile, top-scored with 42 points to go along with 22 rebounds, while Calvin Abueva added 19 points and 11 rebounds for the Aces.
Overall, it was the Aces’ 12th consecutive defeat since their 105-102 victory over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters on April 2 during the elimination round of the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We knew Alaska was becoming a more dangerous team as they aim to end their losing skid,” said Katropa head coach Nash Racela. “I really didn’t want it to happen against us. I was really scared when Alaska led by as much as 14 but good thing our players stepped up.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 107 – Craig 28, Pogoy 25, Castro 23, Rosario 15, De Ocampo 7, Williams 4, Garcia 3, Tautuaa 2, Semerad 0, Carey 0, Hernandez 0.
ALASKA 106 – Henton 42, Abueva 19, Manuel 13, Banchero 12, Casio 6, Baclao 4, Enciso 4, Racal 2, Hontiveros 2, Magat 2, Exciminiano 0.
Quarterscores: 17-20, 38-47, 71-80, 107-106./PN
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