TNT keeps clean slate

MANILA, Philippines — The TNT machine took more than 24 minutes to get going, and when it did, the Tropang Giga proved unstoppable for Phoenix Super LPG.

Trailing by as many as 14 points early on, the Tropang Giga shifted to high gear in the second half to blow past the Fuel Masters, 110-91, for their fourth straight win and pole position in the PBA Philippine Cup yesterday.

RR Pogoy, who was listed as game-time decision after spraining his ankle against San Miguel last Friday, came in more than ready to go for the Monday opener at the AUF Sports Arena Powered by Smart 5G.

Pogoy fired 30 points spiked by five treys and was complemented by the double-digit production of JP Erram (18), Simon Enciso (13), Bobby Ray Parks Jr. (12) Troy Rosario (11), Ryan Reyes (10) and Jayson Castro (10), who reached a milestone as the latest member of the PBA’s 8,000-point club.

“Phoenix started so strong and we had a hard time adjusting but in the second half, we managed to do so especially defensively. I must say our defense pulled us through,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena.

The Fuel Masters, who were led by Matthew Wright’s 31 markers, absorbed their first loss after a 2-0 start in the Clark bubble.

The Tropang Giga turned things around with a telling 30-14 exchange in the third stanza.

Ravena’s squad held Phoenix to a 25 percent shooting in the penultimate stanza (5-of-20) while dominating the boards, 21-10, for a 13-0 edge in second chance points there.

Down by nine after intermission, the rampaging Tropang Giga zoomed ahead to a seven-point lead entering the final canto.

Pogoy, Erram and Parks continued the onslaught and towed their team to an 85-72 cushion.

Cebuano gunner Pogoy, who had a career-high 45 in the bubble kickoff last Oct. 11, turned in another high-scoring game on the night he was supposed to take it easy after the injury three nights before.

“We’re supposed to rest him but he really wants to play in this important game. We’re lucky to have a player like that,” said Ravena.