RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson scored the go-ahead slam and did just about everything for TNT to take the Game 4 win over Rain or Shine, 81-79, and move within arm’s reach of making it back to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
The reigning Best Import powered his way for a one-handed dunk with 37 seconds remaining to break a 79-79 contest - just enough cushion to enable the Tropang Giga to win in a low-scoring, highly defensive battle.
Hollis-Jefferson tallied 23 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, and five block shots in an all-around effort that gave TNT a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series.
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The Tropang Giga go for the clincher on Friday when Game 5 is played, also at the Big Dome.
Coach Chot Reyes however, said the defending champions aren’t thinking that far ahead.
“That’s far from our minds right now. Our thought is the preparation for the next game. Rain or Shine came up with a great game plan today, But I thought our players fought hard, buckled down, and gave a lot to the effort that they put in,” said the TNT mentor.
“In the end, they know what they want to do. We know what they want to do. It’s just really going to boil down as to who wants it more.”
Rey Nambatac torched his former team anew with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds, while hitting a huge three-pointer with 1:11 left to give the Tropang Giga a 79-76 lead.
Shortly after, Leonard Santillan, who finished with 11 points and five rebounds, countered for Rain or Shine with a three-point play off a foul by Poy Erram to knot the count for the last time and pave the way for Hollis-Jefferson’s endgame heroics.
“It’s kind of tough, because I can’t dunk every play. But I knew we really needed a basket,” said Hollis-Jefferson as he powered his way inside past Rain or Shine counterpart Aaron Fuller and soar for that go-ahead dunk.
Rain or Shine, which Fuller led with 22 points and 18 rebounds, had an opportunity to send the game into overtime, but Jhonard Clarito’s shot was blocked by Hollis-Jefferson with 18 seconds remaining.
The Elasto Painters then missed on their next possession, before Hollis-Jefferson snatched the ball away from Clarito just after the Rain or Shine guard grabbed the offensive rebound over three TNT players.
The scores:
TNT (81) - Hollis-Jefferson 23, Nambatac 15, Oftana 15, Castro 9, Erram 8, Williams 5, Pogoy 4, Aurin 2, Khobuntin 0.
Rain or Shine (79) - Fuller 22, Santillan 11, Norwood 8, Clarito 8, Mamuyac 6, Nocum 6, Belga 6, Caracut 4, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Datu 2.
Quarterscores: 18-22; 39-39; 63-59; 81-79.
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