Pogoy waxes hot as TNT strikes first anew in semis trilogy vs ROS
At A Glance
- TNT leaned on the hot hands of RR Pogoy to outhustle Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, June 25.
RR Pogoy banners TNT past Rain or Shine. (PBA Images)
TNT leaned on the hot hands of RR Pogoy to outhustle Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals series in the PBA Season 49 Philippine Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena on Wednesday, June 25.
Displaying the same firepower like in their elimination meeting where he exploded for 35 points, Pogoy took care of the offense for his team by unloading 28 points while getting plenty of help especially on the defensive end where the Tropang 5G proved to be a tough nut to crack for the Elasto Painters.
It also did not help that ROS was shooting ice cold from deep by making only eight of its 35 attempts. That allowed TNT to clog the paint with its size advantage and solidify its defense to trigger a run.
Pogoy, who was awarded his 5000 points milestone, lived up to the billing as one of the league’s premier scorers by scattering 13 points in the final frame, particularly during the 11-2 run that created an 86-76 spread from a tight 75-74 affair.
Poy Erram actually conspired with Pogoy during that run by scoring on a layup and huge triple to finish with a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds.
Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser had 13 points and 10 rebounds while Simon Enciso and Calvin Oftana, whose free throws late in the game allowed TNT to overcome a late ROS rally, finished with 12 points apiece.
Andrei Caracut led a desperate run that saw the Elasto Painters come within four, 91-95, with 16 seconds left after a steal on the inbound pass from Jhonard Clarito, but his late-game efforts went futile. He finished with 16 points.
A technical foul on ROS coach Yeng Guiao, which not only tossed him out of the game but also awarded a free throw for Oftana, allowed TNT to restore order and come away with the win.
Calrito finished with 13 points but was limited to seven boards this time after averaging 18.5 rebounds in the quarterfinals. His defensive struggles showed as TNT outrebounded ROS, 59-44.