A total of six ejections during the Phoenix-TNT match

“Final: 114 – 88 in favor of the TNT KaTropa! Best Player: RR Pogoy with 31 points, 5 rebounds and 8/15 3PT FGs #PBALabanKungLaban” (Photo: PBA/Facebook)

‘Heated’ is an understatement when it comes to describing the recent Talk N’ Text 114-88 victory against the Phoenix Pulse Fuel Masters, after a total of six players were ejected during the 2019 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup match last Sunday, June 2 at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The first three minutes of the game alone already saw action, as Fuel Masters head coach Louie Alas and point guard Jason Perkins were called for flagrant misconduct and fighting stance that caused them to be thrown out of the game. TNT’s brother duo David and Anthony Semerad were called for the same actions and also thrown out. A few minutes later, KaTropa team consultant Mark Dickel also had to make his way out of the playing court for throwing the ball. During the last few minutes of the fourth quarter, controversial Phoenix forward Calvin Abueva also caused a commotion by clotheslining the opponents’ import Terrence Jones.

Yet, despite the chaos, it was win number three out of four for the KaTropa as Jones held his composure with 40 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four steals. Teammates Roger Pogoy also held the team together at 31 points off eight three-pointers, while Jayson Castro accomplished the first triple-double of his career with 11 points, 13 rebounds, 11 assists, and three steals.

For Phoenix, it was Matthew Wright who accomplished 21 points and three steals in his team’s first loss of the season. Rob Dozier chipped 16 points, 12 rebounds, three blocks, and two steals. Before being thrown out of the game, Abueva contributed a double-double of 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Justin Chua totalled 11 points.

TNT Coach Bong Ravena “thanks [his] team and the players for staying in the game,” telling the media after their win, “There were a lot of calls, ejections. I think games like that will also come.”

The KaTropa will try to maintain their composure as they face the San Miguel Beermen at the Ynares Center in Antipolo again next Saturday, June 8. Phoenix, on the other hand, will try to redeem themselves as they face the Meralco Bolts the day before at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.