Down 3-2 in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, the embattled and injury-riddled TNT Tropang 5G were still able to extend the series to a Game 7—thanks mostly to the heroics of TNT’s trio Chris McCullough, Jordan Heading, and RR Pogoy.
In a tightly contested Game 6, it looked like Justin Brownlee would again lead Barangay Ginebra San Miguel to the victory as he did in Game 5. But the Tropang 5G answered right back and won the back-and-forth duel until the final buzzer.
After the game, Pogoy was asked if limiting Brownlee to 40 points or below could help be the key to winning Game 7. The veteran guard doesn’t think so.
“No, Game 7 kasi eh. Wala na ‘yan, talagang kung sinong [gustong] manalo, kahit sino na ii-score na ‘yan eh,” Pogoy said. “Wala na ‘yang X and O. Talagang kung sino ‘yung mananalo, ‘yun ang mananalo [sa Game 7],”
In their Game 6 win, Pogoy had 13 points, 1 rebound, 3 assists, and 2 steals—all in 44 minutes.
‘Puso’ in a Grueling Game 6 Victory
Playing without two starters in Calvin Oftana and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser, TNT needed someone to step up badly in Game 6. Pogoy was one of those who did as he continued to do it all, including guarding Brownlee for long stretches.
“Talagang lumaban talaga hanggang dulo kahit kulang kami, kahit wala si Calvin, si BGR, talagang sabi ko sa kanila anohan nalang talaga ‘to, puso nalang talaga ‘to,” said the four-time PBA champion.
While the former Gilas Pilipinas gunner and his team showed heart, he also tipped his hat off to JB, who nearly beat TNT by himself again. In Game 5, Brownlee had a career-high 54 points. He followed it up with a 52-piece in Game 6, albeit in a losing effort.
“Shoutout kay Brownlee hindi napapagod eh talagang ang galing,” Pogoy added.
Pogoy Says Injured Teammates Will Be Available Come Game 7
Finally, Pogoy bared that Oftana, Ganuelas-Rosser, and Jayson Castro, who sprained his ankle in the third quarter of Game 6, will be available—although it is just a self-assessment from the veteran guard.
“Right now, I declare maglalaro sila [Castro, Oftana, Ganuelas-Rosser] next game,” he said with a huge smile and a laugh. “Para sa akin ah, I will declare kasama si Lord diyan, maglalaro yan sa Game 7.”
If Pogoy is right, TNT’s chances of completing this comeback will be a lot better for sure.
Game 7 will be on Wednesday at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
