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| RR Pogoy put up a solid two-way game for the Tropang Giga. PBA Images |
MANILA--A new champ is coming soon in the PBA Philippine Cup after TNT smashed erstwhile champ Ginebra, 84-71, in their quarterfinal clash at the Don Honorio Ventura State University in Bacolor, Pampanga.
The Tropang Giga, who only needed just one win to enter the semis, had a slow start but bounced back in the final three quarters to nail the first Final 4 spot.
Halfway through the first period, Ginebra opened a 7-point lead against TNT, 10-3, and would hang on to that 17-21.
TNT changed the tempo in the second period and took the lead, 39-33, at halftime.
TNT started the third period expanding the lead to double digits, even ending the third up by 17, 66-49.
TNT would further stretch its lead to 23 points with 4 minutes as Ginebra couldn't find a way to stop the bleeding and just let the game away.
RR Pogoy put up 16 points, 2 rebounds, 1 assist, 4 steals, and 1 block for the Tropang Giga, who will either face the San Miguel Beermen or the NorthPort Batang Pier in the next round.
SMB leads its best-of-3 series, 1-0, and has a chance to seal its semifinal seat in Game 2 scheduled for a 2 p.m. tip-off Thursday.
Troy Rosario added 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists.
Christian Standhardinger put up 17 markers, 19 boards, and 1 dime for Ginebra, the 1st team to enter the quarterfinals as the 8th seed the year after it won it all since 2006.
With a report from Ivan Saldajeno
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