By ADRIAN STEWART CO
TNT Tropang Giga opened their 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup campaign with a 123-119 escape over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, January 25.
Clinging to a 93-92 lead, the Tropang Giga got consecutive points from Calvin Oftana and contributions from Roger Pogoy, Jalen Hudson and Jayson Castro to establish a 108-94 lead.
The Fuel Masters countered with a strong run to cut the deficit to 108-111, but a layup by Kelly Williams followed by a three-pointer and a split free throw by Hudson widened the Tropang Giga’s lead to 117-108.
Hudson ended with 34 points, including six three-point conversions, to go with 10 rebounds and seven assists to give debuting Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa a winning start.
Pogoy and Oftana chipped in 21 and 17 markers, respectively, while Williams, Castro and Bacolodnon center Justin Chua contributed 10 markers apiece for the Tropang Giga.
“We have to look at the defensive side. We played so much better defense in the second half. But I think more than anything, it wasn’t really a defensive game, but it was more of us making big shots than the other side,” Lastimosa said.
“In a way, I’m fortunate I already have a team that’s built to win. So it’s just a matter of utilizing my coaches about how we wanna attack the game collectively and how to make the players listen to our voices,” he added.
Du’vaugh Maxwell had double-double 21 points and 19 rebounds, Jason Perkins added 20 markers, while Ryan Roose Garcia and Tyler Tio had 18 and 16 points, respectively, for the Fuel Masters.
The Tropang Giga looks to go two-in-a-row as it battles Rain or Shine Elasto Painters (0-1) tonight at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
TNT 123 — Hudson 34, Pogoy 21, Oftana 17, Chua 10, K. Williams 10, Castro 10, M. Williams 9, Tungcab 9, Khobuntin 3, Varilla 0, Montalbo 0, Marcelo 0.
PHOENIX 119 — Maxwell 21, Perkins 20, Garcia 18, Tio 16, Serrano 12, Jazul 11, Alejandro 8, Muyang 5, Camacho 4, Soyud 2, Manganti 2, Lojera 0, Lalata 0, Adamos 0, Go 0.
Quarterscores: 29-33, 60-60, 93-89, 123-119./ASC, WDJ