TNT moved a step closer of returning to the PBA Governors Cup finals even as San Miguel evened things up with Barangay Ginebra after Game 4 of the two best-of-seven semis series concluded Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was again the savior for the defending champion after scoring the go-ahead slam in the final 37 seconds before sealing the hard-earned 81-79 win by grabbing the ball away from Jhonard Clarito following an intensed, rebound play.
The Tropang Giga took a 3-1 lead in their series with the Elasto Painters.
The Beermen meanwhile, clicked from everywhere in the court on their way to a rousing 131-121 win over the Kings to level their own series at 2-2.
The two tries to break the tie in Game 5 on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
Here are some of the takeaways in the heated Game 4 duel at the Big Dome.
1.JUSTIN BROWNLEE CAN’T DO IT ALONE FOR GINEBRA
The great player that he is, Brownlee can’t win it alone for the Kings. The Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player submitted a game-high 49 points, along with nine rebounds, five assists, and two steals. But he singlehandedly battled the Kings by his lonesome in a crucial third quarter shootout that turned the game around and led the Beermen pulling away to victory.
The 36-year-old Brownlee had 17 points during that stretch with only Stephen Holt stepping to the plate to provide support to JB. In contrast, San Miguel had June Mar Fajardo, EJ Anosike, CJ Perez, Don Trollano, Terrence Romeo, and Jericho Cruz teaming up for the Beermen to score 37 points in the quarter.
2.ANDREI CARACUT, JHONARD CLARITO YET TO TAKE CHARGE FOR ROS
The two guards no doubt, played a huge role in the Elasto Painters eclipsing the Magnolia Hotshots during their best-of-five quarterfinals series. So far, Caracut and Clarito are shadows of their old self in the semis, including a combined 12 points in the two-point loss against the Tropang Giga.
Of course, Clarito has his hands full dealing with TNT import Hollis-Jefferson and Caracut has his own match up to think about in Rey Nambatac. But both are known as two-way guards and their offensive contributions are needed now more than ever with Rain or Shine on the brink of elimination.
3.REY NAMBATAC PLAYING INSPIRED
The playmaker out of Letran is playing well in the series against his former team. Nambatac made it clear he has no ax to grind against his ex-ballclub, but said his inspired play is borne out of his desire to reach the PBA finals for the first time in his career.
In his seven seasons in Asia’s oldest professional league, the 30-year-old first round pick by Rain or Shine in the 2017 draft, hasn’t played in a championship series yet and this could be his biggest chance of realizing that long-time dream. It just so happened, TNT ended up being paired against RoS in the best-of-seven semis.
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