By REYNALD MAGALLON
TNT rode on a huge third quarter flurry and took down Meralco, 93-73, to take the early lead in the Group A standings in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Thursday, Aug. 22.
The Tropang Giga pulled away from what initially looked to be a grindout affair, creating the much-needed separation behind a 31-point explosion in the third frame to pick up their second win in as many games.
TNT was actually only holding on to a precarious one-point lead, 56-55, with four minutes left in the third when it unloaded a back-breaking 14-2 run to suddenly erect a double-digit spread, 70-57, heading into the final frame.
Without their star guard Chris Newsome, who hurt his left knee in the first half and played sparingly from the rest of the way, the Bolts never really got close enough to threaten the Tropang Giga.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the charge as usual with 25 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists while JP Erram had his best game since coming back from injury with 15 points and six rebounds – enough to make up for TNT’s lack of personnel with RR Pogoy and Kelly Williams still sidelined with injuries.
Rey Nambatac also chipped in 16 points while Calvin Oftana added 14 and Glen Khobuntin 10.
While Meralco held its ground in the first two quarters, the Bolts were far from being on their best form with Allen Durham uncharacteristically struggling with just eight points on 3-of-9 clip from the field.
Newsome still had 15 points before exiting the game with the injury while it was Chris Banchero who paced Meralco with 18 points.
The Bolts were also still without Allein Maliksi and Raymond Almazan.
