Roger Pogoy bucked an ankle injury to propel TNT to a blazing 4-0 start in the PBA Philippine Cup following a 110-91 thrashing of Phoenix at the Angeles University Foundation in Pampanga on Monday, October 19.

Pogoy, who hurt his ankle in their previous game, fired 30 points on top of 5 rebounds as the Tropang Giga clawed their way back from a double-digit deficit to remain unbeaten and deal the Fuel Masters their first loss.

TNT trailed by as many as 14 points in the first half before turning the tide in the last two quarters behind Pogoy, who fired 20 second-half points.

Pogoy hardly looked like someone who endured an injury as he anchored their second-half turnaround, which saw the Tropang Giga outscore the Fuel Masters 65-37.

Phoenix cut its deficit to 10 points, 83-93, off a Matthew Wright triple with 5 minutes left, but TNT retaliated with an 11-2 run led by Pogoy and Troy Rosario to blow the game wide open.

Rosario finished with 11 points and 7 rebounds, Poy Erram came off the bench and put up 18 points, 15 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Ray Parks chimed in 12 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, and 2 steals in the win.

Jayson Castro added 10 points and 5 rebounds for the Tropang Giga as he became the 35th player in PBA history to score at least 8,000 points.

Castro joined James Yap, Mark Caguioa, Arwind Santos, Asi Taulava, and Alex Cabagnot as the only active players to achieve the rare feat, according to PBA chief statistician Fidel Mangonon.

Wright delivered 31 points and 6 rebounds, but he lacked help offensively as the Fuel Masters dropped to 2-1.

Jorey Napoles was the only other Phoenix player in double figures with 10 points and 6 rebounds.

The Scores

TNT 110 – Pogoy 30, Erram 18, Enciso 13, Parks 12, Rosario 11, Reyes 10, Castro 10, Washington 3, De Leon 3, Semerad 0, Alejandro 0.

Phoenix 91 – Wright 31, Napoles 10, Perkins 8, Jazul 7, Marcelo 5, Garcia 5, Heruela 4, Reyes 6, Intal 4, Gamboa 4, Rios 0.

Quarters: 24-24, 45-54, 75-68, 110-91.

– Rappler.com