Hotshots out to shove Ginebra into 3-0 hole
By JONAS TERRADO
Game Today (Mall of Asia Arena)
7 p.m. – Ginebra vs Star
(Star leads series 2-0)
A promising rookie and an over-the-hill forward made valuable contributions in the fourth quarter as TNT KaTropa held off the San Miguel Beermen, 98-92, last night for a 2-1 lead in their best-of-seven semifinal series in the PBA Philippine Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Roger Pogoy, showing why he is one of the league’s top neophytes, hit all of his nine fourth-quarter points from rainbow territory even as Seigle, a veteran of 17 pro seasons, frustrated his former team with four points and key stops on Beermen star June Mar Fajardo to help the KaTropa win their second straight game in the series.
Pogoy displayed the form that made him one of TNT coach Nash Racela’s reliable players since their days in the UAAP for Far Eastern University and finished with 22 points spiked by six three-point shots.
His last triple with 3:23 to play in the contest gave the KaTropa a 92-86 lead, a cushion that made it harder for the Beermen to catch up and eventually halfway into winning the series that was expected to be a once-sided showdown in San Miguel’s favor.
TNT can gain a commanding 3-1 lead tomorrow night when the series returns to the Mall of Asia Arena. Racela can thank Pogoy for giving the KaTropa that opportunity.
“If you noticed sa mga younger guys, he’s the one that is playing the longer minutes,” said Racela, who gave Pogoy 34 minutes of playing time. “I think yung experience over the last couple of years at FEU really helped, even sa exposure niya sa Gilas. He’s ready for battle and hopefully he continues that.”
Before that, Seigle scored all of his points on back-to-back possessions, first a reverse layup off Fajardo, followed by another that it 84-81 for TNT with 7:53 to go in the fourth. He also blocked Fajardo during one particular play.
Meanwhile, there’s no still of comfort for the Star Hotshots, coached by Chito Victolero and led by Paul Lee, as they seek to gain a commanding 3-0 lead on Barangay Ginebra San Miguel today in their best-of-seven semifinal series at the Mall of Asia Arena.
Scores:
TNT KATROPA 98 – De Ocampo 24, Pogoy 22, Castro 11, Williams 11, Tautuaa 10, Rosario 9, Seigle 4, Fonacier 3, Rosales 2, Reyes 2, Carey 0, Golla 0, Sumalinog 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
SAN MIGUEL 92 – Cabagnot 18, Lassiter 18, Fajardo 16, Ross 12, Santos 12, Espinas 8, Heruela 4, Tubid 4, Reyes 0, Agovida 0.
Quarters: 25-30; 53-49; 72-72; 98-92.
