WITH Jayson Castro resting a tight calf muscle, TNT Tropang Giga hardly encountered any trouble in taking care of business inside the Clark bubble that returned to “normal” less than 24 hours after getting a scare from the Covid-19.
Roger Pogoy and Bobby Ray Parks Jr. joined forces in the first half and the Tropang Giga sustained their energy throughout the game to crush Blackwater, 109-96, on Thursday in the Philippine Basketball Association Philippine Cup at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga.
Pogoy erupted with 12 of his 20 points in the first period while Parks added 11 of his 18 points in the second quarter as TNT built a commanding 61-49 half-time advantage.
The Tropang Giga never relinquished the lead—or met any stiff resistance—the rest of the way en route to their fifth straight victory on an early evening cleared of anxiety when a referee was suspected of having contracted the virus but eventually yielded a negative result from a confirmatory test.
“We are happy for the win without Jayson [Castro]. At least, he took a rest because we can’t risk his health and we have so many things to improve on still, especially on our defense,” said TNT coach Ferdinand “Bong” Ravena, who also praised Simon Enciso’s consistency that netted him 16 points.
Jeth Troy Rosario scored 17 points and grabbed up 12 rebounds, while John Paul Erram made 14 points also for the Tropang Giga, who led by as many as 102-81 lead midway fourth quarter.
The Elite took their second consecutive loss after a hot start in the bubble and dropped to 2-3 won-lost.
Don Trollano posted 23 points and seven rebounds for Blackwater.
Ravena said Castro was rested for precautionary measures to avoid injuring his right calf.
Scores:
TNT 109 – Pogoy 20, Enciso 16, Parks 18, Rosario 17, Erram 14, Washington 6, Semerad 5, Reyes 5, De Leon 2, Vosotros 4, Flores 2.
Blackwater 96 – Trollano 23, Belo 16, Tolomia 12, Golla 9, Sumang 8, Daquioag 8, Gabriel 7, Salaem 3, Calaneta 3, Dennison 3, Gabriel 2, Dario 2, Desiderio 2, Escoto 0
Quarters : 34-25, 61-49, 87-73, 109-96.