By: Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
The TNT Katropa needed a monster effort from star import KJ McDaniels to prevail against a tough Meralco Bolts squad, 103-94, in Game 1 of the 2019 PBA Governor’s Cup semifinals.
McDaniels poured in 38 enormous points, 14 rebounds, and 3 rejections to lead his team to a much-needed victory against a rolling Meralco squad.
TNT was locked in the whole game as they managed to build scoring outbursts and match their offensive intensity with their defense, communicating well on switches.
TNT’s spark worked like magic as Roger Pogoy, who was diagnosed with a back injury and was questionable the whole series, was a game-time decision and opted to play, torching Meralco for 18 points with 4 drained treys.
Jayson Castro also put up MVP numbers as he tallied 17 points, 8 rebounds, 7 dimes, and 4 interceptions.
Meralco looked to force a valiant comeback in the final frame after trimming the 22-point deficit to just eight.
The Bolts only needed two minutes to cap off a 12-0 run with four minutes still remaining in the fourth, but Castro, Pogoy, and McDaniels surged once again and built the lead back up to double-digits.
