RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson had 42 points, 12 rebounds, and eight assists as TNT beat Blackwater, 105-96, on Friday in the PBA 48th Season Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
Hollis-Jefferson had 13 points in the third quarter, where TNT made a move and outscored Blackwater, 33-17, to lift the Tropang Giga to their second straight victory and a 4-3 win-loss record.
TNT led by as many as 19 points in the game.
Hollis-Jefferson’s performance was witnessed by no less than his older brother Rahlir, who was at the sidelines after he was recently named as TNT’s newest import for the EASL, replacing Quincy Miller.
Blackwater has now lost seven in a row to go down to 1-7, and is now at the bottom of the team standings.
READ TNT signs Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's older brother Rahlir for EASL
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said the team showed signs of fatigue in the first half playing their second game in three days that included a 113-97 win over NLEX last Friday.
“There was a conversation at halftime that our body language was showing that we're coming from a game the other night and I didn’t want them to show that at the start of the third, even if they fake it. I don’t care as long as they don’t share that they are tired because these guys are tired.
“They understood it, stuck to it, and we defended well in the third quarter. The guys were working hard and talking and made some stops, and before you know it, the lead was in double digits,” said Lastimosa.
Jayson Castro had 18 points and five assists, while Calvin Oftana added 14 points and eight rebounds for the Tropang Giga.
Chris Ortiz finished with 28 points and 20 rebounds for Blackwater. James Kwekuteye and Archie Concepcion made their PBA debut on Friday, with Kwekuteye having the better numbers with 10 points and two rebounds.
The scores:
TNT 105 – Hollis-Jefferson 42, Castro 18, Oftana 14, Khobuntin 10, Montalbo 10, Tungcab 6, Williams 2, Galinato 2, Aurin 1, Heruela 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Ponferada 0.
Blackwater 96 – Ortiz 25, Suerte 13, Rosario 12, Ilagan 10, Kwekuteye 10, David 7, Ayonayon 7, Ular 4, Hill 4, Concepcion 2, Guinto 2, DiGregorio 0, Escoto 0.
Quarters: 29-26; 52-51; 85-68; 105-96.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
