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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson impresses across the board and delivers the clutch plays as TNT grabs a commanding 3-1 lead over Rain or Shine in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals
MANILA, Philippines – A return trip to the PBA Governors’ Cup finals is within reach for TNT, but the Tropang Giga refuse to look too far ahead.
The defending champions moved on the cusp of another title series as TNT survived Rain or Shine, eking out an 81-79 win in Game 4 for a 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven semifinals at the Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday, October 16.
And yet, Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes made it clear his team is all about taking things one step at a time.
“That’s farthest from our minds right now,” Reyes said when asked about the prospects of reaching the finals. “Our only thought is the preparation for the next game, for Game 5.”
“Rain or Shine came up with a great game plan today but I thought my players really fought hard. Give a lot of credit to the extra effort that they put in. 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 to who wants it more. Hopefully on Friday, we come back with the same kind of hunger and edge in Game 5.”
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson personified the grit that Reyes commended as the reigning Best Import posted 23 points, 19 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 blocks, and 5 steals, coming up with clutch plays that allowed TNT to pull through.
With the game tied at 79-79, Hollis-Jefferson delivered the go-ahead dunk with under a minute left then stole the ball from Jhonard Clarito in the dying seconds, denying the Elasto Painters another shot at the equalizer.
Fouled, Hollis-Jefferson missed his first free throw then deliberately bungled the second to let the time run out.
It was redemption for the former NBA player after a potential game-winner rimmed out in their 110-109 Game 3 defeat on Sunday, October 13.
“I wanted to make sure that we came out with the win, that we secure the score, that we secure the stop. That’s what happened,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
Rey Nambatac backstopped Hollis-Jefferson with a double-double of 15 points and 11 rebounds to go with 4 assists, while Calvin Oftana also supplied 15 points on top of 9 rebounds.
Jayson Castro added 9 points for the Tropang Giga in his return after missing Game 3 due to knee issues.
Import Aaron Fuller chalked up 22 points and 18 rebounds in the sorry loss that saw the potential game-tying shot by Rain or Shine guard Gian Mamuyac hit the back of the rim.
Clarito hauled down the offensive rebound only for the ball to be swiped away by Hollis-Jefferson.
Santi Santillan tallied 11 points and 5 rebounds in the losing effort.
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.
Quarters : 18-22, 39-39, 63-59, 81-79.
– Rappler.com
