By Adrian Stewart Co

Despite squandering a double-digit advantage, TNT KaTropa held on to earn their first 2019 Honda PBA Philippine Cup, beating NLEX Road Warriors, 85-80, last Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Roger Pogoy led the victory with 20 points, while Celedonio Trollano added 15, and Brian Heruela and Ryan Reyes each scored 11.

From a seesaw battle in the first two periods, KaTropa went on a run at the onset of the third quarter behind Pogoy, Heruela, and Jayson Castro to take a 69-57 lead heading into the fourth.

KaTropa surged to its largest lead at 75-61 early in the fourth following a triple by Reyes, but the Road Warriors rallied behind John Paul Erram to get as close as 79-77 with over two minutes in the game.

The Road Warriors had a chance to tie but misfired before KaTropa increased their lead to 82-77 on a booming triple by Pogoy. Erram cut the deficit to 82-80 with a three-pointer, but free throws by Castro and Pogoy sealed the win for TNT.

Erram and Galanza both finished with 19 markers for the winless Road Warriors./ASC, WDJ