MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga prevented another endgame meltdown. It beat Magnolia Chicken Timplados Hotshots, 93-85, in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
After leading by as much as 16 points, the Tropang Giga were threatened by a massive fourth quarter uprising by the Hotshots, spearheaded by Paul Lee, which trimmed the deficit to 83-85.
The Tropang Giga responded with eight straight points from reinforcement Jalen Hudson, Roger Pogoy and Kelly Williams to push the lead to 93-83 with under a minute left.
Pogoy finished the game with 20 points to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals as the Tropang Giga bounced back from a 110-108 loss to sister team NLEX Road Warriors to improve to 3-1.
Calvin Oftana returned from COVID-19 to tally double-double 14 points and 10 rebounds, while Hudson and Mikey Williams contributed 14 points each for the Tropang Giga.
Lee ended with 24 points, including six three-point conversions, Erik McCree and Calvin Abueva chipped in 12 markers apiece, while Ian Sangalang contributed 10 as the Hotshots dropped to 0-2.
In the first game, San Miguel Beermen gave Terrafirma Dyip a tough reality check with a 122-102 beating. The Beermen stayed unbeaten with 3-0 record, while the Dyip dropped to 1-2.
The Beermen displayed its offensive dominance since the opening quarter behind Cameron Clark, Jaymar Perez and Moala Tautuaa as the lead reached its largest at 71-49.
The Dyip, however, mounted a huge fightback to cut the deficit to 77-84 but the Beermen had a quick response from Perez, Tautuaa and Allyn Bulanadi to widen the lead anew to 20 points.
Clark finished the game with double-double 31 points and 14 rebounds, Perez chipped in 20 markers and 11 boards, while Tautuaa, Bulanadi and Lassiter had 17, 14 and 12, respectively, for the Beermen.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 93 – Pogoy 20, M. Williams 14, Hudson 14, Oftana 14, K. Williams 11, Castro 9, Khobuntin 4, Chua 4, Tungcab 3, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
MAGNOLIA 85 – Lee 24, McCree 12, Abueva 12, Jalalon 10, Escoto 8, Wong 6, Barroca 5, Dionisio 4, Dela Rosa 2, Corpuz 2, Ahanmisi 0.
Quarterscores: 18-21, 52-39, 75-64, 93-85./PN
