The TNT Tropang Giga showed that they were far from being done as they routed the Barangay Ginebra Kings, 88-67, in Game 3 of the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Philippine Cup finals on Friday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena in Pampanga.
TNT’s victory pulled them closer, 1-2, to Ginebra and they will try to equalize the series with a win in Game 4 on Sunday. Tip-off is at 6 p.m.
After scoring 38 points in the losing cause on Game 2, Cebuano stalwart Roger Pogoy led TNT once again with a complete game of 18 points, six rebounds, three assists and a whopping six steals.
He also got support from a rejuvenated Troy Rosario who had 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting.
“Happy ako na ibang Troy Rosario yung nagpakita. I'm happy na more aggressive na Troy yung nagpakita kanina,” said the former National University ace. “Ako gusto ko talagang makabawi. Yung Troy na aggressive lagi ang gusto kong makita.”
Jayson Castro also had a double-double of 15 points and 10 assists while Simon Enciso and JP Erram added 14 and 12 markers, respectively. Erram also tallied 14 rebounds and two blocks as TNT led by as much as 22 points and never looked back.
TNT made its mark in the second quarter where they outhustled Ginebra, 23-8, to build a 44-34 lead. Pogoy was the catalyst for that run as he scored nine in an 11-0 binge that put the Tropang Giga up, 32-26.
“Kailangan naming manalo eh. Masaya lang kami na we stuck to our rules. Kung ganun lang gagawin namin and stick to our rules, we will have a better chance of winning the game,” remarked TNT coach Bong Ravena after the game.
Ginebra threatened in the third as they closed the gap to two, 54-56, but TNT did not blink and answered with a 10-2 blast of their own to bring their lead back up to double-figures, 66-56.
LA Tenorio led Ginebra with 19 points but Stanley Pringle was held down to just 11 points after scoring 34 in Game 2. (JNP)