RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson scored 34 points as TNT rode a fiery start to defeat Barangay Ginebra, 95-89, and draw first blood in the PBA 49th Season Commissioner’s Cup Finals on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
RR Pogoy added 15 points on five treys and led a fiery start that saw the Tropang Giga hit 8 of their first 13 shots from threes in their first quarter on their way to the Game One victory and the early lead in the best-of-seven finals.
Game 2 is set on Sunday at the Mall of Asia Arena.
TNT started like a house on fire with Pogoy nailing three consecutive threes in one stretch to open a 29-18 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Hollis-Jefferson sustained the Tropang Giga’s run by making 18 in the second quarter for a 55-39 halftime lead. An RHJ lay-up to open the third gave TNT its biggest lead at 18 - a gap big enough to cushion repeated Ginebra rallies in the second half.
“We talked about it at halftime and we said, for sure that Ginebra is going to make a run and we just reminded the players to stay calm and to expect it,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.
COLUMN: For Game One at least, Ginebra has no answers for RHJ
“We know that the team is too good, too strong, too deep for us to have that kind of a lead all throughout. They made a big run but we came back because the players kept their composure and I think that’s the most important thing,” Reyes added.
TNT’s went back to its perimeter game when Calvin Oftana, Glenn Khobuntin, and Kim Aurin made their threes in response after Ginebra cut the deficit to eight, 66-58.
Hollis-Jefferson came two assists shy of a triple double when he also had 13 rebounds and eight dimes for the Tropang Giga, who hit 14 of their 37 shots from threes.
Justin Brownlee finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists. He had 17 in the second half to help Ginebra get back in the game.
Scottie Thompson added 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while RJ Abarrientos added 13 points for the Gin Kings, who made only 7 of 28 from threes. Brownlee and Abarrientos actually combined for only 2 of 11 from threes.
The scores:
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 15, Oftana 10, Nambatac 10, Williams 8, Khobuntin 8, Erram 5, Aurin 5, Heruela 0, Razon 0.
Barangay Ginebra 89 – Brownlee 28, Thompson 17, Abarrientos 13, Holt 9, J. Aguilar 9, Rosario 8, Gray 3, Malonzo 2, Ahanmisi 0.
Quarters: 29-18; 55-39; 80-66; 95-89.
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