Pogoy scores 40 for TNT

MANILA, Philippines — Roger Pogoy caught fire while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson debuted with an all-around brilliance as red-hot Talk ‘N Text dominated Blackwater, 138-116, for its fourth straight win in the PBA Governors’ Cup yesterday at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Pogoy waxed hot from downtown with seven triples and finished with 40 points, conniving with NBA veteran Hollis-Jefferson in a magnificent Philippine debut – a near triple-double outing of 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Pogoy, the Gilas Pilipinas guard, added nine rebounds, an assist and a steal on top of his second-best career scoring output after his 45-point eruption against the defunct Alaska Milk in the 2020 Philippine Cup in Clark.

TNT improved to 6-1 for the momentary solo lead and boosted its playoff bonus hopes in the season-ending conference, pending the result of the match between San Miguel (5-1) and NorthPort in the nightcap.

Later, San Miguel rebounded big time, winning a high-scoring tiff against Northport, 145-132, to gain a piece of lead with TNT at 6-1.

Pogoy set the tone with 22 points in the first half for a commanding 68-50 TNT lead. Hollis-Jefferson orchestrated the attack in only his first game since replacing Jalen Hudson.

“How Rondae played today was exactly what we expected from him. He did a little bit of everything – rebounding, passing, defense, running the floor, communicating on defense. Jalen is a talented scorer. Rondae is built differently. I was happy with what I saw tonight,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa.

Hollis-Jefferson’s availability was up in the air before gametime pending his clearance from the Korean Basketball League, where he last played for Jeonju KCC Egis. TNT geared up to march into the duel with an All-Filipino crew.

But he made it just in time and provided an immediate impact like the seasoned NBA player he is following stints in Brooklyn, Toronto and Portland as the former’s 23rd overall pick in 2015. He also played in Puerto Rico, Turkey then Korea.

Apart from Pogoy, Mikey Williams (14), Glenn Khobuntin (13) and Calvin Oftana (11) were the recipients of Hollis-Jefferson’s fine team play. TNT led by as many as 31, 105-74, despite the absence of floor general Jayson Castro.

“Talagang hinahanap kami (ni Rondae). Naka-ilang assists siya sa akin at sa teammates ko. Ganoon din bakit kami naka-shoot. Magandang kumpyansa ito as a player. Mas maganda ang ilalaro ko next game kasi kumpyansa ka,” said Pogoy.