Pogoy late explosion lifts TNT past Ginebra to seize No. 1 seed
A late RR Pogoy explosion provided the extra push as TNT overcame Ginebra, 114-105, in a come-from-behind win to seize the top seed in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, March 17.
*RR Pogoy went berserk in the fourth quarter to lift TNT. (PBA Images)*
With the Tropang Giga trailing for the most part of the contest, Pogoy unloaded a personal 7-0 outburst in the final five minutes that completely turned things around as TNT closed out the eliminations on a fiery eight-game win streak and a league-best 10-1 record. Down by 14, 98-84, early in the final frame, TNT unleashed a back-breaking 16-1 run capped by a thunderous dunk from import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to give the Tropang Giga their first taste of the lead since the first half, 100-99. Justin Brownlee broke the silence for the Kings, drilling a jumper to which Mikey Williams replied with a booming triple. The resident Ginebra import tried to play the hero anew, drilling a long bomb of his own to quickly retake the lead, 104-103. Pogoy, however, had other plans in mind as he stole the ball from Brownlee in the ensuing possession to convert on a fastbreak layup. He then went on to finish another transition play before Jayson Castro found him wide open on the left corner in the next play where he buried the triple that built a 110-104 cushion for the Tropang Giga. Pogoy exploded for 10 of his 22 points in the final frame, providing the much needed lift for TNT which for the most part rode the back of Hollis-Jefferson who topscored with 34 points along with 11 rebounds. Williams chipped in 25 points on five triples while Castro contributed 12 including key defensive rebounds in the waning minutes. With the win, TNT set up a quarterfinals clash against No.8 Phoenix while Ginebra finished at the third spot of the standings with a 9-2 record just behind No. 2 San Miguel. Brownlee paced the Ginebra with 27 points and 10 rebounds while Christian Standhardinger added 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Scottie Thompson also added 19 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a losing cause.
*RR Pogoy went berserk in the fourth quarter to lift TNT. (PBA Images)*
With the Tropang Giga trailing for the most part of the contest, Pogoy unloaded a personal 7-0 outburst in the final five minutes that completely turned things around as TNT closed out the eliminations on a fiery eight-game win streak and a league-best 10-1 record. Down by 14, 98-84, early in the final frame, TNT unleashed a back-breaking 16-1 run capped by a thunderous dunk from import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to give the Tropang Giga their first taste of the lead since the first half, 100-99. Justin Brownlee broke the silence for the Kings, drilling a jumper to which Mikey Williams replied with a booming triple. The resident Ginebra import tried to play the hero anew, drilling a long bomb of his own to quickly retake the lead, 104-103. Pogoy, however, had other plans in mind as he stole the ball from Brownlee in the ensuing possession to convert on a fastbreak layup. He then went on to finish another transition play before Jayson Castro found him wide open on the left corner in the next play where he buried the triple that built a 110-104 cushion for the Tropang Giga. Pogoy exploded for 10 of his 22 points in the final frame, providing the much needed lift for TNT which for the most part rode the back of Hollis-Jefferson who topscored with 34 points along with 11 rebounds. Williams chipped in 25 points on five triples while Castro contributed 12 including key defensive rebounds in the waning minutes. With the win, TNT set up a quarterfinals clash against No.8 Phoenix while Ginebra finished at the third spot of the standings with a 9-2 record just behind No. 2 San Miguel. Brownlee paced the Ginebra with 27 points and 10 rebounds while Christian Standhardinger added 19 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists. Scottie Thompson also added 19 points, 10 assists and six rebounds in a losing cause.