Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took charge in the second half to push the TNT Tropang Giga to a 107-102 win over the NLEX Road Warriors in Game 1 of their quarterfinals series in the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup.
The import put together a superb effort of 45 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals in the game at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium to lift the Tropang Giga to a 1-0 lead in the best-of-5 series.
Hollis-Jefferson assisted on what turned out to be the go-ahead bucket — a Glenn Khobuntin layup with 7:20 left for an 81-80 lead. That field goal was part of an 11-0 TNT run that put them in control, 86-80, midway through the final period.
The Road Warriors got within one possession, 93-91, thanks to Richie Rodger’s layup with less than three minutes left, but TNT responded with seven straight points to rebuff their comeback attempt.
“We know it’s going to be a difficult series,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes. “Our defense was obviously keyed on those two guys, on DeQuan Jones and Berto, on [Robert] Bolick.”
“We thought if we could limit one of them, then we’d have a chance of winning,” he added.
The Tropang Giga had to overhaul a shaky start to the game, after they gave up 29 points to NLEX in the opening period. They still trailed 49-41 at the break, before Hollis-Jefferson exploded for 17 points in the third period to give TNT the advantage.
Roger Pogoy had 13 points, and Jayson Castro added 12 points and five dimes in the win. Calvin Oftana had a quiet night with just eight points, but four of those came in the crucial stretch in the fourth quarter when the Road Warriors were trying to make their rally.
“We just had to buckle down and tighten the defense. We made some adjustments and, in the end, I think the work paid off,” said Reyes.
Jones had 38 points and 12 boards of his own, but was outplayed by Hollis-Jefferson in the final quarter. Bolick was kept in check, with just 10 points on 3-of-8 shooting. Though he had seven assists, he also committed four turnovers.
Their failure to take care of the ball was a major factor in NLEX’s loss, as their 25 turnovers led to 29 points for the Tropang Giga.
Game 2 of the series is on Friday, September 27, in Sta. Rosa. (ABS-CBN News)