TNT Tropang Giga rookie Kim Aurin was surprised when head coach Jojo Lastimosa submitted his name in the starting five.
The University of Perpetual Help System Dalta did not disappoint as he repaid his mentor’s trust with an inspired performance to lead the Tropang Giga to a 116-96 victory over Phoenix in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup last Sunday at the Philsports Arena.
Aurin dropped 18 points from 6-of-12 field goal shooting and spiked his outing with three rebounds and four assists for TNT, which booked the last playoff spot.
“I was surprised when they told me that I would be starting the game. I need to contribute to the team because I want to repay Coach Jolas (Lastimosa) and the coaching staff’s trust in me,” Aurin said.
“Every training, they tell me my mistakes and things I need to improve on.”
Aurin played clutch and drilled timely baskets that kept TNT’s distance from the Fuel Masters.
“I think he deserves all the minutes he is getting right now and we talked about him starting because we’re looking for a scorer. We realized that, in the guard spot, we needed a scorer and with Kim, that’s one of his strongest skills. We know that he can score,” Lastimosa said of his young ward.
The mentor, meanwhile, also breathed a sigh of relief with the return of veteran guard Roger Pogoy after being diagnosed with myocarditis or an inflammation of the heart muscles.
Pogoy delivered 11 points, three rebounds, three assists, and two steals in his comeback game just three months after his expected six-month recovery from his heart ailment.
“It’s a welcome sight having Roger back,” Lastimosa said.
“His energy was infectious, and Roger being Roger, if he can score, he will play defense all night.”
The 31-year-old Pogoy’s return couldn’t have come at the perfect time as the Tropang Giga will face top-seed Magnolia in the playoffs on Wednesday at the same Pasig venue.
“We’re just happy seeing him play for a while there. We thought Roger’s absence would take some time. First prognosis was six months he will be out. But he’s back after three months, and that’s great news for all of us,” Lastimosa, who also serves as TNT team manager, said.
