MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga opened their 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a 123-119 escape from the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Clinging to a 93-92 lead, the Tropang Giga got consecutive points from Calvin Oftana and contributions from Roger Pogoy, Jalen Hudson and Jayson Castro to establish a 108-94 lead.
The Fuel Masters countered with a strong run to cut the deficit to 108-111 but a layup by Kelly Williams followed by a three-pointer and a split free throw by Hudson widened Tropang Giga’s lead to 117-108.
Hudson ended with 34 points, including six three-point conversions, to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists to give the debuting Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa a winning start.
Pogoy and Oftana chipped in 21 and 17 markers, respectively, while Williams, Castro and Bacolodnon center Justin Chua contributed 10 markers apiece.
For the Fuel Masters, Du’vaugh Maxwell had double-double 21 points and 19 rebounds. Jason Perkins added 20 markers, while Ryan Roose Garcia and Tyler Tio had 18 and 16 points, respectively.
In the first game, Kevin Alas stepped up offensively in the fourth quarter as NLEX Road Warriors cruised to a lopsided 124-102 victory over Blackwater Bossing.
Holding to a slim 84-81 lead after three quarters, Alas conspired with reinforcement Jonathon Williams as the Road Warriors broke away from the Bossing for a 94-87 lead.
Blackwater rallied to within 96-100 after a triple by Jvee Casio but NLEX got a three-pointer from Hesed Gabo and 10 straight points from Alas as the lead reached its largest at 124-102.
Alas finished with 31 points, with 19 coming in the fourth quarter, Simmons added 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists, while Ganuelas-Rosser contributed 21 markers for NLEX.
BOX SCORE:
TNT 123 – Hudson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 17, Chua 10, K.Williams 10, Castro 10, M.Williams 9, Tungcab 9, Khobuntin 3, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0, Marcelo 0.
PHOENIX 119 – Maxwell 21, Perkins 20, Garcia 18, Tio 16, Serrano 12, Jazul 11, Alejandro 8, Muyang 5, Camacho 4, Soyud 2, Manganti 2, Lojera 0, Lalata 0, Adamos 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 29-33, 60-60, 93-89, 123-119./PN
