By ADRIAN STEWART CO

TNT Tropang Giga scored a wire-to-wire 99-80 domination over sister team Meralco Bolts in Game 3 of the 2022-2023 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday night, March 29.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the way with double-double 40 points and 13 rebounds, while Mikey Williams drilled six triples to finish with 29 markers for the Tropang Giga, which took a 2-1 lead in the best-of-five semifinals series.

Williams and Hollis-Jefferson caught fire in the opening quarter as the Tropang Giga surged to a 30-15 lead over the Bolts. It later grew to 56-30 at the half behind the second-quarter onslaught of TNT.

The Bolts went on a huge run in the second half as they cut the deficit to as low as 12 points, but timely conversions from Hollis-Jefferson increased the Tropang Giga’s lead back to 22 points.

“It was more of a defensive game. We didn’t even hit 100 points today, which is strange. But we can also play the game like they do. They are a defensive team and we can be a defensive grindout team like tonight,” TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa said.

KJ McDaniels finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds, Chris Newsome added 12 markers, while Aaron Black and Clifford Hodge contributed 11 markers apiece for the Bolts.

The Tropang Giga can set up their best-of-seven championship series with defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings if they beat the Bolts anew in Game 4 tonight.

If the Bolts manage to win Game 4 and tie the semifinals series, the do-or-die Game 5 will be this Sunday, April 2.

TNT 99 — Hollis-Jefferson 40, M. Williams 29, Pogoy 7, Castro 7, Oftana 4, Erram 4, Khobuntin 3, Montalbo 3, Chua 2, Varilla 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

MERALCO 80 — McDaniels 30, Newsome 12, Black 11, Hodge 11, Maliksi 4, Almazan 3, Caram 3, Pasaol 3, Jose 2, Quinto 1, Banchero 0, Pascual 0.

Quarterscores: 30-15, 56-30, 75-59, 99-80./ASC, WDJ