PBA: TNT stops Ginebra in Game 3 to trim series lead to 2-1

Roger Pogoy leads TNT. INQUIRER PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—TNT buckled down and clobbered Barangay Ginebra, 88-67, in Game 3 of the best-of-seven PBA Philippine Cup Finals Friday at Angeles University Foundation.

The Tropang Giga, after losing the first two games of the series, trimmed the series deficit to 2-1 for head coach Bong Ravena’s first Finals win.

Learning from their mistakes in Games 1 and 2, the Tropang Giga used a crucial third quarter rally to ultimately subdue the Gin Kings.

TNT outscored Ginebra 23-8 in the second quarter to take a 44-34 lead heading into the break but was subjected to an early 20-7 Gin Kings run at the start of the third that trimmed its lead to two points, 56-54.

The Tropang Giga, though, quickly answered with a 10-2 run to push the lead anew to 66-56 after Ryan Reyes’ triple with 34 seconds left in the quarter.

“First of all we really needed this win,” said TNT head coach Bong Ravena in Filipino. “We’re happy we stuck to our roles and if we do that we’ll always have a higher chance of winning.”

“The sense of urgency was there and this win was very important for us because we might get swept. Next game, our mentality should stay the same.”

TNT then intensified its offensive run in the fourth, outscoring the Gin Kings 22-11 with Ginebra never making a dent on the Tropang Giga’s lead.

RR Pogoy put up 18 points, six rebounds, and six steals to lead TNT while Jayson Castro had his double-double of 15 points and 10 assists.

Troy Rosario added 15 points on 7-of-9 shooting while Poy Erram patrolled TNT’s paint to the tune of 12 points and 14 boards.

LA Tenorio had 19 points and six assists to lead Ginebra while Japeth Aguilar added 15 points and nine rebounds.