SANTA ROSA, Laguna – NLEX survived a wild ending to take Game Two over TNT, 93-90, on Friday and even the series of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex.
The Road Warriors escaped after conceding a foul on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson while taking a four-point shot with 3.4 seconds left. But the Tropang Giga import missed the third free throw after making the first two charities.
Hollis-Jefferson intentionally missed the final free throw, grabbed the rebound, and scored the follow-up shot, but was called for a loose ball foul on the rebound play.
Javee Mocon made the first free throw and intentionally missed the second on the next play to settle the final score.
READ: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's 45 powers TNT comeback against NLEX
The win evened the best-of-five affair, 1-1, with Game Three slated on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Even NLEX coach Jong Uichico couldn’t describe the final moments of Game Two.
“I don’t remember what happened, I can’t recall,” said Uichico with a smile.
“All I know is it was hard for both teams. They really have to grind for every point and every possession.
“They made big shots. DeQuan made big shot. Robert got to the paint. We had to do so many things on defense just for us to keep ourselves in the game."
Before that late rally by TNT, NLEX went on a 10-2 run to turn an 85-82 deficit into a 92-87 lead with Jones starting the run with a triple. Robert Bolick also scored a three-point play to break an 87-87 tie with 2:11 left in the fourth.
Jones shot 12-of-26 from the field, and also grabbed 12 rebounds for the Road Warriors, while Robbie Herndon also grabbed 11 rebounds.
Hollis-Jefferson had 22 points and 22 rebounds, while Jayson Castro and Roger Pogoy produced 19 points apiece for TNT.
The scores:
NLEX 93 – Jones 38, Bolick 16, Herndon 8, Amer 6, Valdez 5, Rodger 4, Policarpio 4, Anthony 4, Nermal 3, Mocon 3, Miranda 2, Semerad 0, Nieto 0, Torres 0.
TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 22, Castro 19, Pogoy 19, Nambatac 11, Oftana 9, Aurin 6, Khobuntin 2, Williams 2, Galinato 0, Heruela 0, Reyes 0, Erram 0.
Quarters: 24-21; 40-40; 69-64; 93-90.
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