Pogoy, Castro conspire to lead TNT comeback vs hapless Alaska

Game Saturday (Calasiao, Pangasinan)

5 p.m. – Ginebra vs NLEX

MANILA, Philippines – Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro both churned out big games before leaving for the Lebanon Asian joust, combining for 48 points and starring in an endgame salvo as TNT KaTropa rallied past the hard-luck Alaska side, 107-106, in the PBA Governors Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.

Pogoy erupted for 16 of a career second-best 25 points in the fourth quarter while Castro rifled in a huge trey in the closing seconds to highlight a near triple-double job as the Texters added to the Aces’ woes, dealing them a fourth straight loss in the tourney and 12th overall from the last conference.

Pogoy and Castro strung up three crucial three-pointers at endgame, spiking a 15-7 closing romp that carried the Texters to a second win in three starts in the season-ending tourney.

Castro piled up 23 points, 10 assists and nine rebounds as TNT KaTropa bounced back from their 91-97 loss to San Miguel Beer Wednesday.

Mike Craig made 28 points before fouling out with 5:04 left to play while Troy Rosario contributed 15 markers, eight boards and two assists for the Texters who spoiled Calvin Abueva’s return with the Alaska team.

LaDontae Henton and Abueva showed the way as the Aces dominated throughout before reeling down on the Texters’ endgame siege.

“It’s all on our players. It wasn’t us anymore. It’s the players that made the right plays. We just guided them. In the end, it’s them who made the big plays,” said TNT coach Nash Racela.

True enough, Pogoy, Castro and Ranidel de Ocampo barely salvaged the game, with Alaska in full control through the first 44 minutes of the contest.

“Good things our players stepped up in the end. We wanted to preserve Jayson and Roger for FIBA Asia but Roger played the whole second half. I had to apologize to coach Chot (Reyes) for stretching his minutes,” said Racela.

“We had that in mind (resting Castro and Pogoy), but we also wanted to win for the franchise,” Racela added.

Pogoy sizzled with 7-of-8 treys, the sixth one knotting the count at 99-all and the last (on a tough step-back jumper) pushing TNT ahead for the first time at 102-101 with 1:38 left to play.

Alaska grabbed the lead for the last time at 103-102 before De Ocampo knocked in a long twinner followed by a Castro trey as TNT made it 107-103 with time down to 45.9 seconds.

It’s another heart-rending loss for the Aces they suffered despite the return of Abueva.

“We knew all along Alaska is more and more becoming a dangerous team. I’d followed them couples of games and they’re been really playing well. The effort is there. I was scared of them going to this game,” said Racela.

“It’s just a matter of time they will go winning again,” Racela added.