Something had to give.
In a battle of unbeaten teams TNT Tropang Giga continued to run roughshod over the competition in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup by mauling erstwhile unbeaten Phoenix Super LPG.
It took a while but TNT finally took command of the game in the third behind the hot hands of Roger Pogoy and Bobby Ray Parks then extended that lead in the fourth to beat Phoenix, 110-91, yesterday, Monday, October 19, 2020 at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena & Cultural Center Powered by Smart 5G.
Pogoy—who exploded 45 points against the Alaska Aces in TNT’s first game—rediscovered his shooting touch to finish with 30 markers. He also had 5 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal.
Parks added 12 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds and 2 blocks.
TNT big man Poy Erram had a double-double of 18 points and 15 rebounds. He also had 3 blocks and 1 assist.
Tropang Giga piled on the points in the fourth turning a closely fought contest into a rout when they outscored Phoenix, 35-23, in the payoff fourth quarter.
TNT is playing so well in the All-Filipino because the team had a point to prove according to Pogoy in the post-game interview.
“Pagod na kaming talo palagi sa All-Filipino. Gusto naming i-prove lang na kaya naming manalo dito. Pero hindi pa tapos. Four games pa lang ito. Kaya for sure hindi kami dapat mag-relax,” said Pogoy.
With the win the Tropang Giga (4 wins, 0 loss) bolted from a three-way tie at the top to assume solo leadership. Trailing closely are fellow unbeaten teams Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (3-0) and Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (3-0).
The other teams include the Blackwater Elite (2-1), the Super LPG (2-1), the Alaska Aces (1-2), the Meralco Bolts (1-2), the San Miguel Beermen (1-2), the Magnolia Hotshots Pambansang Manok (1-2), the Terrafirma Dyip (0-2), the NorthPort Batang Pier (0-3) and the NLEX Road Warriors (0-3).
Matthew Wright led Phoenix LPG with 31 points. But he had precious little support with Jorey Napoles as the only other double digit scorer with 10 points.
Ryan Reyes drilled a three-pointer from the right corner to cut the Phoenix lead to nine points, 54-45, at halftime.
TNT finally grabbed the upper hand late in the third. Jayson Castro converted two free throws to push the Tropang Giga ahead by two points, 70-68, with 2:09 left.
Tropang Giga eventually held a seven-point 75-68 advantage after the third quarter.
The scores:
TNT Tropang Giga 110—Roger Pogoy 30, Poy Erram 18, Simon Enciso 13, Bobby Ray Parks 12, Troy Rosario 11, Ryan Reyes 10, Jayson Castro 10, Samboy de Leon 3, Jay Washington 3, Almond Vosotros 0, Dave Semerad 0, Jayjay Alejandro.
Phoenix Super LPG 91—Matthew Wright 31, Jorey Napoles 10, Jason Perkins 8, Justin Chua 7, RJ Jazul 7, JayR Reyes 6, Dave Marcelo 5, RR Garcia 5, JC Intal 4, Brian Heruela 4, Mike Gamboa 4, Jensen Rios 0.
Quarter scores: 24-24, 45-54, 75-68, 110-91.
