RR Pogoy lights it up anew as TNT zaps Alaska to enter semis

RR Pogoy waxed hot for the Tropang Giga. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—RR Pogoy sizzled once again for TNT as the club clinched the second spot in the PBA semifinals through a 104-83 quarterfinal rout of Alaska on Saturday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.

Pogoy led the third seeded Tropang Giga's third quarter charge in which they outscored the sixth seeded Aces, 33-15, to pull away for good and knock them out of contention without the use of their twice-to-beat advantage.

Pogoy finished with 34 points on 9-of-15 shooting, eight rebounds, four assists, and three steals for TNT, which will face the winner of the other quarterfinal pairing between Phoenix and Magnolia in the next round.

The second seeded Fuel Masters can force the semifinal showdown with Tropang Giga with a win later Saturday.

Ray-Ray Parks added 20 points, five rebounds, and five assists.

Jeron Teng made 13 points, seven rebounds, six assists, and two steals for Alaska, which lost Abel Galliguez the rest of the way after falling down hard while trying to block Parks' dunk attempt.

Box Scores:

TNT 104-Pogoy 34, Parks 20, Rosario 10, Erram 9, Castro 8, Enciso 6, Washington 4, Semerad 4, Alejandro 3, Montalbo 2, Reyes 2, Carey 2, Vosotros 0, Flores 0

Alaska 83-Teng 13, Manuel 12, Ahanmisi 12, Herndon 11, Brondial 9, Ayaay 8, Tratter 6, Eboña 4, Digregorio 4, Casio 2, Marcelino 2, Galliguez 0, Publico 0, Andrada 0

Quarterscores: 28-23, 51-51, 84-66, 104-83

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