By ADRIAN STEWART CO
TNT Tropang Giga dashed NorthPort Batang Pier’s quarterfinal hopes in the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup with a 134-110 rout at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City yesterday.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson finished with double-double 31 points and 11 rebounds to go with four steals and three assists as the Tropang Giga zoomed to their seventh consecutive victory.
Roger Pogoy chipped in 22 markers, including six three-point conversions, while Calvin Oftana and Kelly Williams contributed 16 and 12 markers, respectively, for the Tropang Giga.
With a 9-1 win-loss slate, the Tropang Giga is already assured of a twice-to-beat incentive in the quarterfinal round and they could seal the no. 1 seed with a win over defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings on Friday night, March 17.
The Tropang Giga, in the process, also gave Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters (no. 8 with a 4-7 record), a free passage to the quarterfinals while eliminating the Batang Pier from contention with its 3-8 record.
After being down 27-19 in the opening quarter, the Tropang Giga turned things around in the second period as they outscored the Batang Pier, 47-16, for a 66-43 advantage at the half.
The Tropang Giga went on with its torrid shooting in the third quarter as they had a 43-26 score against the Batang Pier as the lead reached its largest at 44 points at 101-57 on a basket by Oftana.
Kevin Murphy had double-double 35 points and 10 rebounds, Arvin Tolentino added 19 markers, while Ilonggo Paul Zamar, Robert Bolick, Jr. and Joshua Munzon had 15, 14 and 10 markers, respectively, for the Batang Pier.
TNT 134 — Hollis-Jefferson 31, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16, K. Williams 12, M. Williams 9, Chua 8, Khobuntin 7, Tungcab 7, Montalbo 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Varilla 5, Castro 2, Cruz 2, Marcelo 1, Acuno 0.
NORTHPORT 110 — Murphy 35, Tolentino 19, Zamar 15, Bolick 14, Munzon 10, Caperal 5, Sumang 3, Chan 3, Taha 2, Calma 2, Ayaay 2, Salado 0, Vigil 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarterscores: 19-27, 66-43, 109-69, 134-110./ASC, WDJ