TNT completed the sweep of Magnolia with another decisive win, 98-87, on Saturday in the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup quarterfinals at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson carried TNT on his shoulders once again with 38 points and nine rebounds to advance to the semifinals in dominating fashion, leaving Magnolia in a state of shock.
The Tropang 5G will face either Barangay Ginebra or San Miguel in the semifinals after stunning the Hotshots, who came into the quarterfinals as one of the top seeds for ranking first in Group B.
TNT led by as many as 26 points after a third quarter where it outscored Magnolia, 29-16.
“Whoever we play in that series is going to be a much more potent offensive team,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes as he looked ahead to the semifinals against either Ginebra or SMB to be played next month.
“They’ve got a lot of depth. They are both very well-coached. They have a lot of winning experience. Both have good imports. We have our work cut out for us.”
“But for now, we have to worry ourselves,” said Reyes.
KJ Buffen had 31 points, but local support was thin with Ian Sangalang as the lone double digit scorer with 12.
“I thought that if we limit their scoring opportunities, that would give us a lot of chances to score on the other side because we know that they are the No. 1 defensive team in the league,” said Reyes.
The scores:
TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 38, Nambatac 13, Pogoy 12, Oftana 10, Heading 9, Castro 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Galinato 3, Khobuntin 3, Jalalon 0, Erram 0, Quitevis 0.
Magnolia 87 – Buffen 31, Sangalang 12, Koon 9, Lastimosa 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Lucero 7, Gomez 6, Barroca 6, Andrada 0, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Verano 0.
Quarters: 23-21; 50-41; 79-56; 98-87.
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.
