TnT breaks tie with SMB, takes Game 3

RR Pogoy played one of his best games in the conference to lead the TnT KaTropa in taking Game 3 of the Best of 7 finals series against the San Miguel Beermen, Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Jade Moya

By Xy-Zha Cabanlong

QUEZON CITY - The TnT KaTropa avenged their loss over the San Miguel Beermen by taking Game 3 of their Best of 7 finals series; 115-105, Friday night at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

Despite earning an early Flagrant Foul Penalty 1, Terrence Jones was able to finish the ball game with 37 points, 16 of which came from the second quarter where the TnT import exploded the most.

The Beermen started the game in the right footing, dominating in the opening period and leading by as much as 17 points. San Miguel took advantage that TnT was forced to sit Jones down due to the flagrant foul called on him to beat the KaTropa in the opening quarter, scoring 33 points against their 18 at the sound of the quarter buzzer.

However, the KaTropa made an epic 24-0 run in the second quarter that ended up with them taking the driver's seat by 5 points at the end of the first half; 55-50.

The second half seemed as if it was an all-TnT KaTropa show despite the efforts of the Beermen to score. Alex Cabagnot opened the third quarter with a three point shot to cut the lead down to 2; 55-53 only to see their opponents surging.

Pogoy, along with Jayson Castro scored 5 quick points to give the KaTropa a safe 5-point advantage; 65-60 that rattled the Beermen all the more that they had to call a time out.

Don Trollano then opened the outside scoring for the KaTropa, allowing his team to lead by 9 points; 71-62.

As if the outside shots coming from the KaTropa side does not hurt them, the Beermen had to take another beating as Christian Standhardinger was called for a Flagrant Foul Penalty 1 off a scuffle against Jones and Yousef Taha; who was also called for a Technical Foul.

The quarter closed in with the KaTropa ahead by 8; 86-78.

The fourth quarter had been Pogoy and Trollano's quarter as the two scored 12 and 8 points respectively. The deadly duo took turns in scoring from the outside to affirm TnT's lead and kept it at such distance that would challenge San Miguel.

The finals series between TnT and San Miguel continues on Sunday at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.

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