Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
After nailing his final triple, RR Pogoy could only look at his hands in disbelief. For the second time in three games, the TNT swingman had adjusted his career-high in the PBA, this one with 10 three-pointers, a franchise record for locals.
That firepower, plus the all-around performance of Terrence Jones, helped the KaTropa to a 104-96 dismantling of defending champion Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday in the Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Jones assembled a triple-double of 17 points, 14 rebounds and 16 assists and added six blocks for good measure as the KaTropa rose to 5-1 and pinned a second straight defeat on the Gin Kings.
But the night belonged to Pogoy, who joined the likes of legends Allan Caidic and Kenneth Duremdes and current San Miguel Beer guard Marcio Lassiter as players who have hit at least 10 triples in a game.
“His triples really helped us. It was a tremendous game for Roger. And Terrence, of course,” said TNT coach Bong Ravena, whose team grabbed a share of the lead with idle Blackwater and NorthPort.
Earlier, the short-handed Batang Pier found firepower from almost everyone in a gritty 102-99 victory over Magnolia.
“[It’s] just the players [not giving up],” said NorthPort coach Pido Jarencio, who was down to eight men for the game due to a rash of health issues.
NorthPort was most notably without star guard Stanley Pringle because of a foot injury but had seven players in double figures.
Sean Anthony came off the bench to score 22 points and pull down eight rebounds. Paolo Taha added 16 points while Jonathan Grey and Mo Tautuaa chipped in 14 each to fill the void left by Pringle and veteran guard Ryan Araña.