ANTIPOLO – TNT bucked the ejection of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the second half, beating Converge in an overtime thriller, 101-98, on Saturday in the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Center.
Jayson Castro picked up the slack in RHJ's absence while Jewel Ponferada and Brian Heruela became the unlikely heroes of TNT in overtime to pick up its first win after losing their season debut to Magnolia last Sunday.
READ: Rondae Hollis Jefferson ejected for throwing ball at Mike Nieto
Already depleted with the absence of Mikey Williams, Roger Pogoy, Poy Erram, and Justin Chua, the Tropang Giga played majority of the second half without Hollis-Jefferson after he was ejected for throwing the ball to the head of Mike Nieto at the 11:18 mark of the third quarter.
But the locals stepped up led by Castro, who finished with a team-high 23 points to go along with eight rebounds and four assists.
Ponferada had 12 points including a reverse lay-up with 16.9 seconds remaining in overtime that settled the final score. He also started the extra session with a lay-up that was followed by a basket by Heruela that gave TNT a 99-96 advantage.
“The guys, more than anything, played their hearts out,” said TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa. “For some reason, they want to win this game for whatever reason. For Quincy (Miller) or for Rondae not being here.”
Hollis-Jefferson ended up with 14 points and 11 rebounds before being ejected in his season debut after he replaced Miller, TNT’s temporary import after the former NBA player went down with gastroenteritis.
TNT led, 55-37, but was forced to play overtime when it lost a five-point lead after a three-pointer by Jerrick Balanza and a putback by Tom Vodanovich with 15.2 seconds left in regulation to tie the game at 95.
Vodanovich finished with 25 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists, while Balanza chipped in with 18 points for the FiberXers, who dropped to 0-2.
The scores:
TNT 101 – Castro 23, Oftana 19, Hollis-Jefferson 14, Ponferada 12, Khobuntin 10, Williams 8, Heruela 5, Tolomia 4, Reyes 3, Galinato 2, Cruz 1, Tungcab 0.
Converge 98 – Vodanovich 25, Balanza 18, Arana 12, Racal 10, Tallo 9, Winston 8, Stockton 6, Nieto 6, Melecio 4, Fornilos 0, Wong 0, Maagdenberg 0, Santos 0.
Quarters: 28-22; 55-39; 74-64; 95-95; 101-98.
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