TNT pulled off a grind out win over Magnolia, while Rain or Shine needed an extra period to take down NLEX.
That in a nutshell simplified action in Tuesday’s PBA Governors Cup at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to kick start the final week of the league’s group stage.
The Tropang Giga went to import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the endgame for an 84-82 win over the Hotshots, while the Elasto Painters got a collective effort from Adrian Nocum, Jhonard Clarito, Anton Asistio, and import Aaron Fuller to nip the Road Warriors in overtime, 123-114.
TNT remained on top of Group A with a 7-1 record as it won a fifth straight game.
Rain or Shine on the other hand, regained a piece of the lead in Group B along with San Miguel with similar 6-2 records.
The loss by Magnolia (4-4) and NLEX (3-5) hurt their respective playoffs chances with still two games left in each of their playing schedules.
Below are the takeaways from Tuesday’s NAS doubleheader.
1.RHJ OUTPLAYS SHABAZZ
In a marquee matchup between two former NBA players, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson emerged the better player as the Tropang Giga took the all-important win. The former Best Import finished with 29 points and 25 rebounds as he took charge for the team in the endgame by scoring eight of his total output in the fourth quarter.
Shabazz Muhammad led the Hotshots with 30 points and 17 rebounds, but couldn’t produce when the team needed him at crunch time. Incidentally, RHJ recalled how the Arizona Wildcats lost to Shabazz and the UCLA Bruins during the Pac-12 Championship in 2014, something which he disclosed he still hold on to up until now.
2.DEQUAN JONES IN EXPLOSIVE BUT LOSING DEBUT
NLEX unveiled a new import in Dequan Jones, who proved he can score and somehow take off the heat from top gunner Robert Bolick. The former teammate of Kiefer Ravena with the Shiga Lakes in the Japan B. League came a point shy of reaching 50 points while adding 11 rebounds, but without a single assist.
He was 17-of-31 from the field and was 3-of-6 from four-point range. Still the numbers were not enough to give the Road Warriors the win as the free fall continues for the team with its fourth straight loss.
3.TNT SILENTLY ON A ROLL
While the focus has been more on San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra, and Rain or Shine, the Tropang Giga have quietly maintained their lofty position on top of the standings. They currently own the best record in the league at 7-1 after posting a conference best five straight victories.
Of course, the Tropang Giga have yet to cross paths with the likes of the Beermen, Kings, and Elasto Painters, but they’re surely slowly building their momentum heading to the playoffs. Besides, TNT likes to remind everybody that its still the reigning and defending Governors Cup champion.
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