The TNT Tropang Giga is now a win away from a successful title defense in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

The defending champions have beaten the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in blowout fashion, 99-72, on Wednesday, November 6, at the Araneta Coliseum to secure a pivotal 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven title series.

The Gin Kings never got a taste of the lead, with the Tropang Giga also leaning on a big 30-13 second quarter to pull away in the match.

Chot Reyes’ cogs continued their dominance in the third quarter, outscoring their fellow finalists, 23-15, capped by an RR Pogoy triple at the buzzer.

“First of all, we just had to keep our heads around and not panic,” said Reyes after Barangay Ginebra clinched back-to-back triumphs to even the series.

Clamping down Justin Brownlee was key, holding the prolific import to an underwhelming eight-point performance on a 3-of-13 clip.

In contrast, Best Import awardee Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 16 points and 10 rebounds, and was substantially supported by the locals, led by Pogoy, who also had 16 for the offense.

Twenty-eight-year-old Calvin Oftana had 15 points, bagging the Best Player of the Game honors, while veterans Kelly Williams and Jayson Castro were also in twin-digit scoring after dropping 11 and 10, respectively.

Former league MVP Scottie Thompson and seasoned point LA Tenorio paced the misfiring Ginebra side, tallying 13 points each.

The Tropang Giga will take on the Gin Kings again on Friday, November 8, at the same Metro Manila venue.

Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m. (ABS-CBN News)

TNT 99 — Hollis-Jefferson 16, Pogoy 16, Oftana 15, Williams 11, Castro 10, Nambatac 7, Erram 7, Exciminiano 6, Khobuntin 4, Heruela 3, Aurin 2, Galinato 2, Payawal 0, Ebona 0, Varilla 0.

GINEBRA 72 — Thompson 13, Tenorio 13, Holt 10, Brownlee 8, Abarrientos 7, J. Aguilar 6, Cu 5, R. Aguilar 5, Pessumal 4, Ahanmisi 1, Pinto 0, Adamos 0.

Quarterscores: 26-20, 56-33, 79-48, 99-72.