The TNT Tropang Giga nipped the San Miguel Beermen, 89-88, in the opener of their PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals at the DHVSU Gym in Bacolor, Pampanga Sunday.
RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Poy Erram and Troy Rosario led the way as the Tropang Giga made a key run to close out the third period and weathered San Miguel's strong endgame salvo to snatch the head start in the race-to-four-games series.
"It's all about effort, and the key was us believing that we can win even in the absence of Kelly," said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
"Most important really was to believe, and it showed in the way we played tonight. No one individual can fill the shoes of Kelly. It took us a super human effort to beat this strong San Miguel team," Reyes added.
"Sobrang hirap. Kailangan talaga A-game para talunin ang San Miguel," said Pogoy, standing out with 23 points that went with three rebounds, two assists and two steals.
And Pogoy himself saved the day for TNT with his good defense on Marcio Lassiter's make-or-break offense in the dying seconds.
Castro, Erram and Rosario added at least 14 points each but the Tropang Giga indeed needed super effort to repulse the Beermen.
TNT's job included forcing the Beermen to 23 turnovers from where the Tropang Giga produced 23 markers.
"The only way we can beat this team is for us to put stronger effort. Sobrang lakas nila. If we give a little more effort, then we have a chance," said Reyes.
"All we've done is give us a 1-0 lead and we need three more wins. Hopefully, we can sustain it," Reyes also said.
TNT's key run in the second half allowed the team to lead by 12 but the Beermen were able to get back into the fight and got a chance to salvage the game in gaining possession in the last 10 seconds.
The Beermen failed to run a good play, though, and eventually lost the game on a missed drive by Lassiter in the waning seconds.
"San Miguel can beat you in so many ways. We just said let's play straight up defense, put up our best defensive effort and let's see what happens," said Reyes on their defense in San Miguel's last play.
CJ Perez shared scoring honors with Pogoy with 23 markers.
June Mar Fajardo got 13 points and 11 rebounds, Arwind Santos added 12 markers and nine boards while Lassiter contributed 10 points and seven boards.
The scores:
TNT 89 - Pogoy 23, Castro 16, Erram 15, Rosario 14, Williams 7, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 3, Reyes 2, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
SMB 88 - Perez 23, Fajardo 13, Santos 12, Lassiter 10, Cabagnot 8, Ross 8, Romeo 8, Tautuaa 6, Pessumal 0, Zamar 0, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 42-41, 71-60, 89-88.
