REIGNING champion TNT Tropang Giga snapped Meralco's unbeaten run and jacked up its own record above the .500 mark with a 78-71 decision in a nip-and-tuck battle in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City Saturday.
Locked in a duel where no team enjoyed by more than eight points, the Tropang Giga gained crucial head way just in the last four minutes on clutch hits from unlikely sources and went on to notch a third win against two losses.
Reserves Brian Heruela and Jjay Alejandro knocked in back-to-back three-pointers from a 65-all count, and that proved to be the lethal tear the Tropang Giga needed to brush off the Bolts and deal them their first defeat in three starts.
After the triples by Heruela and Alejandro, RR Pogoy knocked in two twinners sandwiching a Cliff Hodge basket as the Tropang Giga enjoyed the biggest lead in the tight contest and eventually chalked up the win that sent them to sixth place behind San Miguel Beer (3-0), Barangay Ginebra (2-0), Meralco (2-1), Blackwater (2-1) and NLEX (2-1).
TNT coach Chot Reyes mentioned their defensive effort.
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"I was very pleased with our defense. I thought even in the first half, if you take away our turnovers, our defense really held firm," said Reyes.
It was a battle almost all throughout with Pogoy and Troy Rosario leading the way for the victors.
From a 32-point showing the last time on his birthday, Pogoy once again top scored for his team with 19 although he committed eight turnovers. Rosario contributed 16 markers on top of four rebounds and two assists while Jayson Castro chipped in 10 points, five board and four assists on well-managed minutes off the bench.
Poy Erram (13 points and eight caroms) had near double-double effort also off the bench for the Tropang Giga who are trying to cope on the continued absence of 2021-22 Rookie of the Year Mikey Williams.
"We did a better job in the second half of taking care of the ball and not giving Meralco opportunities to score in those turnovers. In the end, like I said, without Mikey Williams, we are not going to outscore people in games. Our chance is to limit them. Today we were able to limit a team like Meralco," said Reyes.
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The Bolts had their own manpower issue with Aaron Black sidelined by a wrist injury.
Allen Maliksi led all scorers with 20 points although he fired blanks in the clutch.
Chris Newsome and Bong Quinto added 13 apiece while Chris Banchero put in 12. (SB)
The scores:
TNT 78 - Pogoy 19, Rosario 16, Erram 13, Castro 10, Alejandro 8, Heruela 5, Khobuntin 3, Marcelo 2, K.Wiliiams 2, Cruz 0, Reyes 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Banal 0.
Meralco 71 - Maliksi 20, Newsome 13, Quinto 13, Banchero 12, Hodge 6, Almazan 5, Hugnatan 2, Baclao 0, Pascual 0, Jose 0, Caram 0.
Quarters: 16-19, 31-32, 57-54, 78-71
