By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came alive in the second half as TNT rode on a huge fourth quarter flurry to repulse NLEX, 107-102, and gain the headstart in Game 1 of their quarterfinals series in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday, Sept. 25.
The reigning best import found his touch in the last two quarters and poured 34 of his 45 points to help the Tropang Giga overcome a double-digit deficit and eventually pull away for the series-opening win.
Hollis-Jefferson had his usual all-around game with 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals while also getting timely contributions from Calvin Oftana who scored all of his eight points in the final four minutes when TNT created the separation and took a 100-91 lead.
RR Pogoy chipped in 13 points, Jayson Castro with 12 and Rey Nambatac with 11 as the Group A top seed Tropang Giga recovered from a slow start that saw them trail by as many as 13 points in the first half.
TNT was still down by five, 75-80, early in the final frame when it fired 11 unanswered points to take control of the contest.
With NLEX keeping itself within striking distance and TNT only leading by two, 93-91, the Tropang Giga shifted their attack to a higher gear and unloaded a 9-0 spurt capped by Oftana’s trey to create a 100-91 breathing room which proved to be enough to cushion desperate rallies from the Road Warriors in the waning minutes.
Road Warriors import DeQuan Jones continued with high-scoring ways with 38 points to go with 12 rebounds but hardly had support from his local counterparts.
The usual explosive scoring from Robert Bolick was absent with only 10 points to show while Baser Amer and Enoch Valdez only added 11 apiece.
TNT has the chance to build a commanding 2-0 lead when their quarterfinals series go down south in Sta. Rosa, Laguna on Friday, Sept. 27.
The Scores :
TNT 107 – Hollis-Jefferson 45, Pogoy 13, Castr 12, Nambatac 11, Williams 9, Oftana 8, Khobuntin 7, Erram 7, Erram 2, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0
NLEX 102 – Jones 38, Valdez 11, Amer 11, Bolick 10, Rodger 9, Mocon 8, Miranda 7, Semerad 3, Torres 3, Policarpio 2
QUARTERS : 24-29, 41-49, 73-71, 107-102
