Inilatag ang tila 'mala-super human' na ratsadang inilalarawan ng kanilang coach, giniba ng TNT Tropang Giga - minus lead center Kelly Williams - ang San Miguel Beermen, 89-88, sa opener ng kanilang PBA Philippine Cup best-of-seven semifinals sa DHVSU Gym sa Bacolor, Pampanga, Linggo.
Pinamunuan nina RR Pogoy, Jayson Castro, Poy Erram at Troy Rosario kung saan humaplit ang Tropang Giga sa pagtatapos ng ikatlong kanto at lusawin ang maigting na atake sa endgame ng San Miguel para agawin ang unang salta sa race-to-four-games series.
"It's all about effort, and the key was us believing that we can win even in the absence of Kelly," sabi ni TNT coach Chot Reyes.
"Most important really was to believe, and it showed in the way we played tonight. No one individual can fill the shoes of Kelly. It took us a super human effort to beat this strong San Miguel team," dagdag wika ni Reyes.
"Sobrang hirap. Kailangan talaga A-game para talunin ang San Miguel," litanya naman ni Pogoy, na kumaripas ng 23 points kabilang ang tatlong rebounds, dalawang assists at dalawang steals.
Iskor:
TNT 89 - Pogoy 23, Castro 16, Erram 15, Rosario 14, Williams 7, Montalbo 5, Khobuntin 4, Marcelo 3, Reyes 2, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0, Alejandro 0, Javier 0, Mendoza 0.
SMB 88 - Perez 23, Fajardo 13, Santos 12, Lassiter 10, Cabagnot 8, Ross 8, Romeo 8, Tautuaa 6, Pessumal 0, Zamar 0, Gotladera 0, Comboy 0, Gamalinda 0, Sena 0.
Quarters: 19-17, 42-41, 71-60, 89-88.
(Photo Courtesy by:Pba.ph)