Pogoy sizzles, TNT pulls through

MANILA, Philippines — Riding on the gigantic performances of red-hot RR Pogoy and steady Jayson Castro, the TNT Tropang Giga drew first blood in the PBA’s bubble return with a 100-95 verdict over Alaska.

Pogoy shot the lights out of the Angeles University Foundation gym to post a new career high of 45 points spiked by an impressive 58 percent three-point shooting (10 of 17).

Pampanga’s pride Castro equally shone bright in the resumption opener as he posted 28 markers, five rebounds, two assists and three steals, and of course his leadership and veteran smarts.

“We’re still far off, had many turnovers and defensive lapses. But it’s understandable. This was just our first game. Hopefully we improve some more in our next game,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.

Pogoy hardly showed any rust in the league’s opening salvo coming off a seven-month lull. The Cebuano ace fired 21 in the second period alone, where he fuelled TNT’s torrid fightback from 17 points down to turn the game into a dogfight to the finish.

Pogoy complemented his scoring spree with eight rebounds, three steals and two assists.

“I wasn’t conscious about my score. I was just thinking about winning. We’re always playing catch-up so my goal was just to help the team,” said Pogoy, who ended the game with a cut on his left eyebrow due to a head clash with Mike DiGregorio.

If Pogoy pushed slow-starting TNT into the thick of things, it was the veteran Castro who took over in winning time.

Castro dropped 11 in the final canto, including a pair of freebies sandwiching a crucial layup that sealed the deal.

The Tropang Giga pulled the bubble opening victory despite the ejection of fancied trade acquisition Poy Erram and the absence of key guard Ray Parks.