By Peter Atencio
Roger Pogoy drilled in 25 points for the TNT Tropang Giga, who ousted the Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters, 132-105, on Wednesday at the Smart Arenate Coliseum and earned passage to the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup semifinals.
The Tropang Giga will battle sister team Meralco in the semis after the Bolts came from behind to frustrate the Magnolia Chicken Timplados in overtime, 113-107. Interestingly, the other semifinal faceoff features another sister team pairing of San Miguel Beer against Ginebra San Miguel.
Glen Khobuntin posted a career-high 19 points for the Tropang Giga, who moved out of range following a 66-all deadlock early in the third period.
“We just had a lot of frustrations in the first half because we were expecting too much from ourselves and that Phoenix were pushovers, when they’re not,” said TNT interim coach Jojo Lastimosa.
The Tropang Giga lost Kelly Williams after he pulled a calf muscle early in the game.
Lastimosa hinted that the 41-year-old Williams could be out for the season due to the severity of his injury.