TNT dethrones defending champion Barangay Ginebra, punches semis ticket

TNT Tropang Giga ousted defending champion Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings from the playoff race after an 84-71 victory in the quarterfinal round of the 2021 PBA Philippine Cup on Wednesday in Bacolor, Pampanga.

Four TNT players scored in double-digit with RR Pogoy leading the way with his 16 points while Troy Rosario chipped in 15 markers and five rebounds.

With the win, the Tropang Giga secured a semifinals ticket and now await the winner of the best-of-three series between San Miguel Beermen and NorthPort Batang Pier.

A strong third quarter propelled TNT against Ginebra as the wards of head coach Chot Reyes scored 27 points while limiting the Kings to only 16 points to end the frame leading by 17, 66-49.

During that run, Pogoy converted nine points while Poy Erram contributed seven.

That advantage ballooned to as big as 21 after rookie Mikey Williams buried back-to-back baskets in the fourth, 73-52. Ginebra countered with a 9-3 run including a triple each from Stanley Pringle and LA Tenorio to cut their deficit to 15, 76-61.

Ginebra started making shots from beyond the arc but TNT remained composed as Pogoy knocked down two three-pointers followed by another layup from Rosario to seal the win for TNT.

Missing two of its key players also badly hurt Ginebra as Japeth Aguilar (knee) and Scottie Thompson (health protocols) were out in tonight's game.

"First of all, I would like congratulate coach Tim Cone and his coaching staff. I though that facing the manpower shortages that they have, they [still] came out with a very good game plan," said Reyes.

"They really made it very difficult [for us]. But in the end, we kind of talked about it and we've been off for 10 days and so we expected that we wouldn't be as sharp to start the ball game."

Double-double output from Christian Standhardinger, meanwhile, went for naught after he scored 17 points, 19 rebounds, and an assist in 41 minutes of action.

Scores:

TNT 84 - Pogoy 16, Rosario 15, M. Williams 11, Montalbo 10, Erram 9, Castro 7, Khobuntin 5, K. Williams 4, Heruela 3, Marcelo 2, Reyes 2, Exciminiano 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0

Barangay Ginebra 71 - Standhardinger 17, Pringle 15, Ayaay 9, Tenorio 9, Chan 5, Devance 5, Dillinger 4, Caperal 4, Mariano 3, Salado 0

Quarter scores: 17-21, 39-33, 66-49, 84-71

—MGP, GMA News