Red-hot from deep, TNT draws first blood vs Ginebra in PBA finals

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson sets the tone for TNT in the PBA Commissioner's Cup finals as he flirts with a triple-double in their Game 1 win over Barangay Ginebra

MANILA, Philippines – Chot Reyes may have missed routine shots in his recent golf tournament, but not his wards on the biggest stage in the PBA.

TNT fired from all cylinders and claimed a 95-89 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals at the Mall of Asia Arena on Friday, March 14.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson churned out 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists for a Tropang Giga side that drained 14 three-pointers to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series.

“I played in a golf tournament this morning and I was missing putts this short, they kept lipping out. I said it’s okay if I miss my shots now as long as my players make their shots tonight,” said Reyes.

“Luckily, that’s what happened. I’ll take that anytime.”

While Hollis-Jefferson did most of the damage from inside the arc, knocking down 14 of his 25 two-pointers, Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Glenn Khobuntin, and Rey Nambatac worked their wonders from deep.

Pogoy scored all of his 15 points from beyond the arc, including 3 triples in the opening quarter that allowed TNT to mount a 29-18 lead.

That lead swelled to as big as 18 points at 57-39, which proved enough for the Tropang Giga to fend off the Gin Kings’ late fourth-quarter comeback.

Oftana, Williams, Khobuntin, and Nambatac each drained a pair of three-pointers as TNT sank twice as many treys as Ginebra.

“In the end…we can play all the defense we want, but the game is still about putting the ball in the hoop. It’s still about scoring points. The key is for us to get good shots, as long as we keep consistently getting good shots,” said Reyes.

“Some will fall, some will not, but at least the entire objective of our offense is to get good shots. I think that’s what you saw.”

A contender for the Best Player of the Conference honors, Oftana supplied 10 points, 9 rebounds, and 4 assists, Nambatac added 10 points, while Williams and Khobuntin chipped in 8 points apiece.

Justin Brownlee delivered 28 points, 15 rebounds, and 6 assists for the Gin Kings, who lost to the Tropang Giga for the fourth straight time after dropping their elimination-round encounter and the last two games of their Governors’ Cup title duel earlier this season.

Deprived of a championship for over two years, Ginebra is in the finals for the third time in five conferences with hopes of finally beating TNT following losses to the same team in the finals of the last two Governors’ Cup.

Scottie Thompson tallied 17 points, 13 rebounds, and 7 assists in the losing effort.

The Scores

TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 15, Oftana 10, Nambatac 10, Williams 8, Khobuntin 8, Erram 5, Aurin 5, Heruela 0, Razon 0.

Barangay Ginebra 89 – Brownlee 28, Thompson 17, Abarrientos 13, Holt 9, J. Aguilar 9, Rosario 8, Gray 3, Malonzo 2, Ahanmisi 0

Quarters: 29-18, 55-39, 80-66, 95-89.

– Rappler.com