TNT seized the lead in Group A of the PBA Governors Cup as it battered Meralco, 97-73, in Thursday night’s main game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson caught fire in the third quarter to spark the Tropang Giga’s breakaway on the way to a second straight win in the season-opening conference where they are the defending champions.
In the curtain raiser, NLEX debuted in grand fashion behind a 104-87 shellacking of Blackwater.
Robert Bolick and import Myke Henry teamed up in giving the Road Warriors the lopsided win that dealt the Bossing their second straight loss.
Below are some of the takeaways in the third straight playing date of the league this week
1. RHJ GETS BETTER OF MATCH-UP VS THE ‘HULK’ – Rondae Hollis-Jefferson won his highly-anticipated duel with Allen Durham in the battle between two former Best Import awardees. The TNT reinforcement led the way with 25 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists, while scoring 14 points in the third quarter where the Tropang Giga finally pulled away. The Bolts couldn’t get enough from Durham, the three-time Best Import awardee, who was held to just eight points, but finished with 10 rebounds.
2. BOLICK OFF TO A FINE START IN THE CONFERENCE – The prolific NLEX guard picked up from where he left off last season after falling just a rebound shy of registering a triple double in his first game for Season 49. The former San Beda star had 24 points, nine rebounds, and 11 assists in the win over the Bossing. He actually had a shot at completing the triple double, but battled his own teammate (Henry) for the rebound which eventually, was credited to the import who tallied a double-double of 31 points and 10 rebounds. Nonetheless, the all-around numbers showed Bolick could be in strong contention anew for the Best Player of the Conference and the MVP award.
3. UICHICO OFFICIALLY BACK AS PBA HEAD COACH – Jong Uichico re-introduced himself again in the league as he formally called the shots for NLEX. The 62-year-old champion coach previously served as one of the deputies of the Road Warriors and even had the chance to coach the team for at least a game during the Philippine Cup when former mentor Frankie Lim was briefly out after injuring his hand in practice. But this time, Uichico is finally back coaching his fourth team in the league. He is the fourth most accomplished coach in PBA history with nine championships. NLEX laid down the red carpet for its new coach with a 17-point victory against Blackwater.
4. ANOTHER SHORT CONFERENCE FOR BLACKWATER? – Another slow start could put the Bossing in danger of missing the playoffs anew after suffering back-to-back losses to start the season. Import Ricky Ledo struggled in both games, including 2-of-15 from the field against NLEX to finish with six points and nine rebounds. And it doesn’t get any easier for Blackwater as it has no less than San Miguel as its next opponent this Sunday.
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