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Pogoy's hot hands leads TNT to victory over Ginebra

RR Pogoy was on fire for TNT. Jade Moya
By Xy-Zha Cabanlong

QUEZON CITY — The TNT Katropa only needed RR Pogoy to silence an intimidating Barangay Ginebra crowd at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum, Wednesday night.

Pogoy scored 10 three-point shots and finished off the game with a career-high of 38 points, 16 of those points came off in the 4th quarter alone, and TNT drubbed Ginebra, 104-96.

His tandem with Terrence Jones was an effective one as Jones helped Pogoy to get his pace on scoring against the Gin Kings.

"Siya [Jones] talaga yung nagpasa sa akin talaga nun una pa lang. Sa mga pasa nya saken ko nakuha yung rhythm ko," said Pogoy.

TNT started out strong, surprising Ginebra with a 9-0 lead with over five minutes had gone by in the opening quarter of the game.

LA Tenorio opened up the scoring for the Gin Kings, with 4 points coming from him.

Tenorio's efforts set the pace for Barangay Ginebra as they gave their fans a heck of a show.

Much to the delight of the crowd that is mostly cheering on for the Gin Kings, Japeth Aguilar took a slam dunk that garnered the loudest cheers in the house.

However, TNT and Ginebra were inseparable at the end of the first quarter at 22-all.

Second quarter saw back-to-back-to-back three-pointers from Pogoy that allowed TNT to sail away and lead by as much as 10 points, 36-26.

As if it was not enough of a damage, Jason Castro also popped one in to extend the lead to 13.

Justin Brownlee attempted to get his three points only to be stopped by Jones.

The second quarter action kept the fans up on their feet as Ginebra managed to get the lead back in their side, 49-48.

At the 7:36 mark of the third period, Jones gave up a nasty foul against LA Tenorio that led to the TNT import to be called for Flagrant Foul penalty 1.

"I admit to doing what I did pero yung sa akin parang tapik lang naman yun, nakita nyo naman lahat kung ano ginawa nya. Hindi ko naman gagawin yun kung wala syang ginawa saken. I will take full responsibility of my action kung ano man yung ma-review ng PBA about that situation. Basta sana lang maging fair sila," said Tenorio after the game.

For Coach Tim Cone, it is not only the hot hands of Pogoy that killed them but also the fact that his wards lack discipline in the endgame.

"We panicked when they made a run against us and we just never got our feet in theirs," said Coach Tim Cone

In the final period, Pogoy's hot hands continued to shatter the Gin Kings defense all the more with his three consecutive shots from the arc.

"Terrence did great. RR Pogoy also did great. Mainit yung kamay nya tunira. He had a great night," Coach Bong Ravena said.

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