[ad_1]
TNT Tropang Giga leaned on a balanced attack for their fifth consecutive victory in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, defeating the Blackwater Elite, 109-96, on Thursday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
Roger Pogoy led five TNT players in double figures with 20 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals. Troy Rosario, meanwhile, scored a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds and Ray Parks scored 18 and handed out five dimes.
Jayson Castro, who is averaging 16.0 points, 5.5 assists and 3.5 rebounds for Tropang Giga this conference, saw no action due to the strain on his right calf, according to coach Bong Ravena.
“We are happy for the victory. Jayson, at least he was able to rest,” coach Ravena said in Filipino. “We can’t risk playing [him], forcing him to play. “
TNT was once again an offensive monster, shooting 46 percent from the field, including 13 of 35 from the center. The team was also a force in the paint, converting 42 points. Despite getting victory number five, Coach Ravena sees that they still have more room to grow.
“We have so many things to improve, still. Especially in our defense. We have to go back to the drawing board and finish everything and improve our defense,” said the coach.
Blackwater tried to keep up with TNT’s offensive prowess. The Elite made 12 3-point shots and leaned on his bench (45 points). Unfortunately, Pogoy and company turned out to be too much to handle.
Don Trollano produced 23 points, seven rebounds and four assists and Mac Belo contributed 16 points and eight rebounds.
TNT remains perfect throughout its five games, setting the pace for the rest of the league. Blackwater, on the other hand, received their second consecutive setback for a 2-3 record.
“You still need to have that hunger,” Ravena said on her team to maintain her competitive edge. “They know what is at stake, why we are here in the bubble. We have goals. It is always there. We take nothing for granted. We remain strong, we push ourselves and we play hard.”
THE SCORES
TNT 109 – Pogoy 20, Enciso 16, Parks 18, Rosario 17, Erram 14, Washington 6, Semerad 5, Reyes 5, De Leon 2, Vosotros 4, Flores 2
BLACKWATER 96 – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Tolomia 12, Golla 9, Sumang 8, Daquioag 8, Gabriel 7, Salaem 3, Calaneta 3, Dennison 3, Gabriel 2, Dario 2, Desiderio 2, Escoto 0
Quarters: 34-25, 61-49, 87-73, 109-96
EXTRA JARS
-Blackwater was coming off a 38-point loss to Alaska Aces, which was the third worst loss in franchise history. Unfortunately for them, they were unable to bounce back from that loss to TNT.
-It was the first meeting between Blackwater coach, Nash Racela, against his former team where he was assistant (2008-2016) and head coach (2016-2018).
TNT now has a 15-1 win-loss overall record against Blackwater
NEXT GAMES
TNT vs NorthPort Batang Pier, 6:45 pm on October 26
Blackwater vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 4:00 pm on October 25
