TNT overcame a 13-point deficit to nab Game One over NLEX, 107-102, at the start of their PBA 49th Season Governors' Cup quarterfinals series at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 45 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists, and the Tropang Giga grabbed a 1-0 lead in their best-of-five series.
This after Group A's top-seed team started out flat and fell behind against Group B's fourth-ranked squad, 49-36, late in the second quarter.
Calvin Oftana also knocked down crucial shots in the end game after NLEX came to within two, 93-91.
DeQuan Jones had 38 points and 12 rebounds for NLEX, but its top local Robert Bolick was limited to 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting from the field.
Game Two is on Friday at the Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Laguna.
“We knew it’s going to be a difficult series. Our defense was keyed on those two guys, DeQuan Jones and Berto Bolick,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “We thought if we could limit one of them, then we would have a chance of winning. It’s hard to stop both.”
NLEX was still ahead, 80-75, when TNT went on an 11-0 run midway in the fourth quarter with Hollis-Jefferson and Glenn Khobuntin taking turns on offense to regain the lead.
RR Pogoy had 13 points, while Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac had 12 and 11 apiece. Calvin Oftana had eight after starting the game 0-of-3, nailing three critical baskets late in the fourth quarter.
The scores:
TNT 107 – Hollis-Jefferson 45, Pogoy 13, Castro 12, Nambatac 11, Williams 9, Oftana 8, Khobuntin 7, Erram 2, Aurin 0, Exciminiano 0, Heruela 0.
NLEX 102 – Jones 38, Valdez 11, Amer 11, Bolick 10, Rodger 9, Mocon 8, Miranda 7, Semerad 3, Torres 3, Policarpio 2.
Quarters: 24-29; 41-49; 73-71; 107-102.
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