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TNT Tropang Giga returned to the track in the 2020 PBA Philippine Cup, defeating the Meralco Bolts, 92-79, on Saturday at the Angeles University Foundation Sports Arena.
Fresh from a disheartening loss at the hands of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel the night before, Tropang Giga came back with a vengeance against the Bolts. They controlled the game from the beginning and built a 16-point lead early in the fourth period. And despite Jayson Castro fouling in the final four minutes, TNT was able to hold out.
“First of all, we are relieved to have won this game,” TNT coach Bong Ravena said. “A really important game for us after two losses in a row. It’s been tough in the last two losses, but thank God we survived. We are on top again.”
Roger Pogoy, who fought mightily against Geneva, rebounded in a big way to score 27 points and eight rebounds to lead TNT. After a 4 of 15 performance in the previous outing, he shot better on 12 of 24 shots. Castro was just behind with 24 points in 21 minutes, while Ray Parks sent in a double-double of 17 points and 11 rebounds. Troy Rosario’s 11 points were also a welcome sight, especially coming off his 2-point, 0-for-15 night against the Gin Kings.
Meralco’s offense was shaken by Chris Newsome’s 17 points and the duo of Cliff Hodge and Raymond Almazan each had 14 points as they combined for 14 rebounds.
TNT beat Meralco in the paint, 52-32, and did not rely on their most powerful weapon, the three-point shot. Tropang Giga entered the game with an average of 42 attempts from the center, but only shot 22 against the Bolts, knocking down just six.
“Our outside shooting is in our system, so we have to take that,” Ravena said. “But we are really focusing on our defense: how to stop our man, how to make saves on each team because Meralco, when they play against us, is a game where everyone must win. We have to keep playing.”
After losing consecutive games, TNT’s victory improved their record to 7-3. On the other hand, the Bolts failed to pull off three wins in a row to maintain a 5-4 record.
THE SCORES
TNT 92 – Castro 24, Pogoy 27, Erram 4, Parks 17, Rosario 11, Enciso 4, Washigton 2, Montalbo 3, De Leon 0, Vosotros 0
MERALCO 79 – Newsome 17, Hodge 14, Almazan 14, Amer 11, Maliksi 6, Hugnatan 4, Caram 4, Black 3, Quinto 2, Jamito 2, Jackson 2, Jose 0, Pinto 0, Salva 0
Quarters: 29-19, 52-43, 73-62, 92-79
ADDITIONAL JARS
– After shooting just 29.2 percent in an 85-79 loss to Geneva, TNT rebounded with 44 percent to Meralco.
– TNT unveiled its black “All Black Giga Mamba” jerseys in front of Meralco, paying tribute to the late Kobe Bryant.
NEXT GAMES
TNT vs Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 4:00 pm on November 10
Meralco vs Terrafirma Dyip, 1:00 pm on November 8
