By REYNALD MAGALLON
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson cannot be denied when he bulldozed through the Rain or Shine defense and soared for a one-handed jam to get the lead back.
So as defending champion TNT moving on cusp of Finals return.
Hollis-Jefferson simply did it all as the Tropang Giga hacked out an 81-79 decision over the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters to take a commanding 3-1 lead in Game 4 of their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, Oct. 16.
The TNT reinforcement showed exactly why he was the reigning Best Import, submitting an impressive stat line of 26 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and five steals to help the Tropang Giga get the chance to close out the series in Game 5 on Friday, Oct. 18.
Hollis-Jefferson simply took over in the final minute of the contest, bulldozing his way for the dunk that gave TNT the 81-79 count before stepping up on the defensive end with the game-sealing steal on the offensive rebound of Jhonard Clarito with 1.5 ticks left.
Rey Nambatac had a double-double of 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists while Calvin Oftana added 15 points and nine rebounds.
Rain or Shine actually had multiple chances to tie the game in the final possession but TNT held on with their defense with Jhonard Clarito, Andrei Caracut and Gian Mamuyac all missing their attempts before Hollis-Jefferson finally cleared the ball.
Meanwhile, June Mar Fajardo and EJ Anosike presided over a searing third quarter as San Miguel got back at Barangay Ginebra, 131-121, to level their own series
The twin towers of Fajardo and Anosike asserted their size and heft inside the paint, combining for 24 of the Beermen’s 37 points in the third quarter where they broke the floodgates open en route to tying the series at 2-2.
After being limited to just eight shots in the last game, Fajardo threw his weight around to finish with a double-double of 29 points and 16 rebounds while Anosike provided the perfect complement with 27 points and 11 rebounds.
It was not just the two alone who made their work in the contest as four other Beermen finished at double figures led by CJ Perez who also chalked up 20 points, seven assists, six rebounds, two steals and a block.
Marcio Lassiter and Don Trollano had 15 points apiece while Terrence Romeo also added 14 as the Beermen’s collective effort neutralized the scoring explosion from Justin Brownlee who fired 49.
The Scores:
First Game:
TNT 81 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, Nambatac 15, Oftana 15, Castro 9, Erram 8, Williams 5, Pogoy 4, Aurin 2, Khobuntin 0
RAIN OR SHINE 79 – Fuller 22, Santillan 11, Norwood 8, Clarito 8, Mamuyac 6, Nocum 6, Belga 6, Caracut 4, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Datu 2
QUARTERS : 18-22, 39-39, 63-59, 81-79
Second Game:
