RR Pogoy, Calvin Oftana and Rey Namabatac stepped up for the TNT Tropang Giga in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
RR Pogoy had a reminder to Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac when he huddled them before Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
He, alongside Oftana and Nambatac, needed to play well for TNT, which is suffering from the loss of injury-hit Jayson Castro.
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“Iyong mindset namin coming into this Finals, kinausap ko si Rey saka si Calvin. Sabi ko sa kanila, 'Bawal tayong magka-bad game. Kasi kailangang-kailangan tayo. Kung gusto nating manalo, kailangang good game tayo palagi,'” said Pogoy.
The nudge worked as they all responded to power the Tropang Giga to a 95-89 win in the opener of their best-of-seven series with Ginebra.
Pogoy finished with 15 points, all on three-pointers. His three triples in the first period helped TNT build a 29-18 edge which they held on to the finish.
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Oftana and Nambatac also contributed two triples each as the Tropang Giga nailed 14 treys overall.
Oftana nearly had a double-double on his 10 markers and nine boards. He also had four assists, a steal and a block.
Meanwhile, Nambatac sustained his fine play since Game 4 of the semifinals as he put in an identical 10 points on top of two rebounds and three dimes.
“Iyon ang palaging sinasabi ni Calvin: Kung gusto naming manalo, sana pumasok 'yong mga three points namin. God's blessing na pumasok lahat. So nag-open up 'yong depensa ng Ginebra, nakakaatake si Rondae,” Pogoy said.
TNT Tropang Giga RR Pogoy displays sharpshooting from the three-point arc in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Holding the team's practice at the venue a day before the match proved helpful, according to Pogoy.
“Two years ago na yata o three years (since they last played in MOA) kaya kailangan talagang gamayin. Buti na lang talaga, nag-ensayo kami rito kahapon. Siguro, may factor talaga 'yon,” Pogoy said.
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But while the firepower was there, the Tropang Giga also leaned on its formidable defense, none more evident in their seven steals and four blocks. They also forced Ginebra to commit 12 turnovers.
Pogoy said TNT needs to sustain this intensity on both ends of the floor to have the chance of beating Ginebra in the best-of-seven series.
“Iyong iniisip naman namin palagi, kahit sinong kalaban namin, basta dumepensa lang kami, may chance kaming manalo. Iyon talaga 'yong palaging sinasabi ni Coach (Chot Reyes)” he said.