MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga's RR Pogoy came alive right in the very first game of the Philippine Basketball Association bubble, but teammate Jayson Castro took over in crunch time as TNT repulsed Alaska, 100-95, on Sunday night at the Angeles University Foundation Sports and Cultural Center.
Pogoy exploded for 45 points to lead the Tropang Giga's comeback from 17 points down in the second quarter, capped by a booming triple with 2:54 left that sparked their game-deciding 11-3 run.
However, it was Castro who finished the job, scoring six straight points including the dagger layup with 27.9 seconds remaining to give the PLDT franchise enough cushion to hold on.
Pogoy went 17-for-29 from the field including 10-of-17 from three-point range for his 45 markers on top of his eight rebounds, two assists, three steals, and one block for TNT.
Castro, on the other hand, finished with 28 points on 9-of-17 shooting, five rebounds, two assists, and three steals as his team prevailed despite committing 26 turnovers.
Abu Tratter put up 17 points, three rebounds, one assist, and two steals for Alaska. (PNA)
