What a way to welcome the return of the PBA.

Roger Pogoy waxed hot for a career-high 45 points to power TNT to a 100-95 comeback win over Alaska on the first day of the Philippine Cup restart at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Sunday, October 11.

Pogoy hardly showed rust from the seven-month season hiatus caused by the coronavirus pandemic as he rallied the Tropang Giga back from a 17-point deficit to a winning start in the conference.

Scoreless in the maiden frame, Pogoy erupted for 10 three-pointers in the last 3 periods, the last of which tied the game at 92-92 and paved the way for Jayson Castro to bring TNT home.

Castro scored the last 6 points for the Tropang Giga to chalk up 28 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 steals.

The Aces trailed 95-96 with 58 seconds left but failed to score in the ensuing possessions after turning the ball over twice, with Castro taking advantage as he put the finishing touches in the win.

Pogoy also had 8 rebounds, 3 steals, and 1 block in a performance to remember highlighted by a scorching 21-point second-quarter display.

TNT got buried by as many as 17 points, 15-32, before Pogoy found his footing as he almost singlehandedly tied the score at 48-48 at halftime.

Troy Rosario added 9 points for the Tropang Giga, who had to pull through without stars Poy Erram and Ray Parks.

Erram got tossed out with 20 seconds remaining before the final quarter after incurring a flagrant and a technical foul, while Parks sat the game out due to a calf sprain.

Abu Tratter led Alaska with 17 points, Robbie Herndon and Mike Digregorio had 16 points apiece, while Vic Manuel chipped in 15 points.

TNT rookie Kib Montalbo and Alaska newcomers Barkley Ebona and Jaycee Marcelino made their keenly awaited debuts.

Shelved since March, the Philippine Cup successfully rebooted in a bubble setting in Clark, Pampanga, with all teams staying at the Quest Hotel and all games being played at the AUF.

The Scores:

TNT 100 – Pogoy 45, Castro 28, Enciso 2, Rosario 9, De Leon 4, Semerad 4, Erram 4, Carey 2, Reyes 2, Alejandro 0, Montalbo 0, Vosotros 0, Flores 0

Alaska 95 – Tratter 17, DiGregorio 16, Herndon 16, Manuel 15, , Racal 8, Marcelino 5, Brondial 5, Ebona 4, Teng 3, Galliguez 2, Ayaay 2, Casio 2, Andrada 0

– Rappler.com