TNT man handles Meralco, gets momentum heading into collision vs San Miguel

TNT carved out another win in the PBA Governors Cup playoffs, extending its longest winning streak to five games as Tropang Giga remained on top of the pile.

But an injury to one of the key players could be a big deal heading into a big matchup with heavyweight San Miguel Beer as RR Pogoy sprained his ankle in the second quarter of their 111-104 win over Meralco on Saturday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa, though, sounds far from worried and is actually looking forward to the challenge of trying to chop down the Beermen on Saturday.

“I’m looking forward to it,” Lastimosa said of the San Miguel team playing Barangay Ginebra in the nightcap. “I think it will be a big challenge, knowing San Miguel, who also played well.

“We’re just going to be ready and I think our guys are ready,” he said.

Tropang Giga was more than ready for the Bolts, who led with 22 points as TNT raised its record to 7-1 as it beat Meralco for the third time in six games.

Mikey Williams scored 25 points as he was voted by fans to play in next month’s All-Star Game in Passi City, Iloilo.

Great RHJ effort

Calvin Oftana, also the first All-Star, was also produced for the import backstop Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who had another strong game with 34 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists and two steals.

“I still have enough forces left on my bench,” said Lastimosa after injuries to Pogoy and Jayson Castro, who also sprained his ankle but returned to finish with 16 points.

“Wow, these guys know how to grind out, get out of back-to-back games. Thank God, they’re ready.”

TNT plays San Miguel on Sunday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, with Pogoy’s status as a major question mark ahead of the Fiba World Cup Qualifiers where he is part of the Gilas Pilipinas pool for home games against Lebanon and Jordan.

Pogoy is considered a shoo-in for the Gilas spot, but Lastimosa is confident he can play against the Beermen and then answer the call for national duty next week.

“It’s not bad that he can come back and I hope it’s not severe,” said Lastimosa.

Meralco lost its second straight game and the Bolts are now tied with streaking Magnolia for sixth place.

KJ McDaniels 26 points and 15 rebounds could not lift the Bolts, who narrowed the gap to single digits in the dying seconds.

Eight kings

Barangay Ginebra’s popularity outweighs its leading players in season 47 after eight Gin Kings were chosen by fans to see action in the All-Star Game.

When Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson, who will be responsible for forming their respective teams as the top two voters, Jamie Malonzo, Christian Standhardinger, LA Tenorio and also Stanley Pringle were asked to enter, the two Ginebra players were surprisingly welcomed by the fans who took . part in the voting process.

Rookie backup Jeremiah Gray and defensive lynchpin Nards Pinto made the top 24 after voting ended Feb. 15.

Coach Tim Cone will take a shot for one of his teams in the All-Star contest on March 12 after coming out on top. He will be challenged by Rain or Shine’s Yeng Guiao, who came second.

Read Next

For suggestions, complaints, or questions, please contact us.