Despite star guard Jason Castro’s absence due to tightness in the right calf, the TNT Tropang Giga remains unblemished in the PBA Philippine Cup with a 5-0 win-lose card, after toppling the Blackwater Elite, 109-96, Thursday and gain their fifth straight victory in the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
Leading the pack was Roger Pogoy, who tallied 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and three steals. Meanwhile, Troy Rosario put a double-double of 17 points and 12 boards, and Ray Parks netted 18 and dished out five dimes.
“We’re happy for the win. Jayson – at least he was able to rest. We cannot risk playing [him], forcing him to play,” said, coach Bong Ravena.
This conference, Castro is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 rebounds for Tropang Giga, who, without a hint of doubt, is a force to be reckoned with in the PBA bubble.
Proving that they are an offensive juggernaut, TNT shot 46% from the field, including 13-for-35 from downtown. The team was also a force in the paint, converting 42 points. Despite getting win number five, coach Ravena sees they still have more room to grow.
“We have so many things to improve, still, especially on our defense. We have to go back again to the drawing board and finalize everything and improve our defense,” Ravena said.
“You still need to have that hunger. They know what’s at stake, what we’re here for in the bubble. We have goals. It’s always there. We don’t take anything for granted. We still go strong, go hard, and play hard,” he added.
RR Pogoy With Some Classic Yap One Hander Moves
Blackwater tried to keep up with TNT’s offensive prowess. The Elite knocked down 12 3-point shots and relied on their bench (45 points). Don Trollano led the Elite with 23 points, seven rebounds, and four assists, while Mac Belo added 16 points and eight rebounds. Unfortunately, for Belo and the rest of Blackwater, his former teammate in UAAP, Pogoy proved too much to handle. With this, Blackwater received its second consecutive setback for a 2-3 record.
Talk ‘N Text Vs Blackwater Box Score
Quarters: 34-25, 61-49, 87-73, 109-96
Tropang Giga (109) – Pogoy 20, Enciso 16, Parks 18, Rosario 17, Erram 14, Washington 6, Semerad 5, Reyes 5, De Leon 2, Vosotros 4, Flores 2
Elite (96) – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Tolomia 12, Golla 9, Sumang 8, Daquioag 8, Gabriel 7, Salaem 3, Calaneta 3, Dennison 3, Gabriel 2, Dario 2, Desiderio 2, Escoto 0