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Don Trollano hits the game as NLEX storms back from 12 points down to spoil Roger Pogoy’s birthday on June 16 at Ynares Center, Antipolo.
Shooting guard slasher small forward Don Trollano hit a pull-up jumper with 2.2 ticks remaining to drive NLEX past TNT, 90-89, and help the Road Warriors get back on track. NLEX turned to Kevin Alas before finding Trollano – final play that had the club rising to 2-1.
Pogoy, who turned 30 on Thursday, unloaded 28 points on a 4 –of-5 clip from three-point land, but saw his sizzling shooting performance go to waste as TNT vanished out in the fourth quarter.
A Pogoy layup gave the Tropang Giga a 78-76 lead with 11 minutes left before NLEX dropped a 14-2 blast with 6 points each coming from Calvin Oftana and Kevin Alas to knot the score at 80-80.
Oftana led the Road Warriors in scoring with 20 points to go with 4 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals, while Alas chipped in 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists. JR Quiñahan 18 who were all instrumental in nibbling at a 12-point deficit.
“We expected to be scouted because coach (Jojo Lastimosa) is already with them. So what we tried to do in practice was just to do some things differently. It worked out for us,” Coach Yeng Guiao said in the post-game presser.
TNT once again seized the upper hand off a 7-3 blitz capped by a Pogoy free throw only to witness Alas score five straight points that set up the frantic finish as NLEX grabbed an 88-87 edge. Jayson Castro had one last look to save the game for TNT but his triple was just a tad too strong as it hit the back iron. Cleaning up after Jayson Catro miss, Troy Rosario shortly gave the Tropang Giga an 89-88 lead with eight seconds remaining.
However, it was just not meant for TNT as Trollano, who finished with 11 points and six rebounds, took matters in his own hands by draining a jump shot over Glenn Khobuntin, guiding the Road Warriors back on track to dominate the game.
The Tropang Giga thus slipped to 2-2.
Next up for NLEX is Barangay Ginebra, which plays Wednesday next week at MOA Arena in Pasay City.
TNT meanwhile, takes on another corporate sibling in Meralco this coming Saturday in a clash also scheduled at the hilltop venue.
The Scores
NLEX 90 – Oftana 20, Quiñahan 18, Alas 16, Trollano 11, Rosales 8, Magat 5, Ighalo 4, Miranda 2, Soyud 2, Varilla 2, Semerad 0, Chua 0.
TNT 89 – Pogoy 28, K. Williams 11, Erram 11, Rosario 11, Castro 8, Khobuntin 5, Heruela 5, Alejandro 4, Cruz 2, Reyes 2, Tungcab 2, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas 0, Rosser 0, Banal 0.
Quarters: 26-24, 45-52, 66-74, 90-89
Gilas defeats the tough and strong Tall Blacks
MANILA, Philippines – GILAS Pilipinas extended its undefeated record in the FIBA Asia Cup qualifications Thursday night by finally breaking through against New Zealand, 93-89.
