TNT puts San Miguel in jeopardy of missing playoffs for first time in 10 years

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Rondae Hollis-Jefferson churns out a near triple-double as TNT pushes defending champion San Miguel to the brink of elimination

MANILA, Philippines – TNT dealt San Miguel’s playoff chances in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup a major blow after earning a 115-97 win at the Ynares Center on Sunday, January 26.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson churned out a near-triple-double of 29 points, 18 rebounds, and 9 assists with 3 steals as the Tropang Giga put the Beermen in jeopardy of missing the quarterfinals for the first time in a decade, or since the 2015 Commissioner’s Cup. 

The loss dropped defending champion San Miguel to 5-7, with its hopes of reaching the playoffs for the 23rd straight conference already out of its hands.

Slipping to 10th place, the Beermen need both Magnolia (5-6) and NLEX (5-6) to lose their last elimination-round assignments to get a crack at forcing a sudden death for the eighth and final quarterfinal berth.

Meanwhile, TNT boosted its chances of securing a top-two finish that merits a twice-to-beat incentive in the playoffs as it improved to 8-3 for solo second.

“The important thing is we put ourselves in that position. What I’ve learned in this life is you never really know what’s going to happen. Things are so unpredictable. The best you can do is give yourself a shot,” said Tropang Giga head coach Chot Reyes. 

“I think that’s the significance of this win, we gave ourselves a shot.” 

Hollis-Jefferson was a man on a mission as he already netted a double-double by the intermission, churning out 22 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, and 2 steals in the first half to help TNT build a 56-49 advantage.

TNT never relinquished its hold of the upper hand, with Hollis-Jefferson giving his side its biggest lead at 115-95 by draining a four-point shot to add to his 5 three-pointers. 

Roger Pogoy also delivered for the Tropang Giga with 22 points, while Calvin Oftana fired 16 points as the two gunners knocked down 4 triples apiece. 

Jayson Castro and Poy Erram added 14 points each in the win.

Reigning eight-time MVP June Mar Fajardo put San Miguel on his back with 34 points and 13 rebounds in a game where Beermen import Malik Pope got seriously outdueled by Hollis-Jefferson.

While Hollis-Jefferson dominated on all fronts, Pope had only 10 points on 5-of-15 shooting to go with 7 rebounds in 30 minutes of action.

Don Trollano and Mo Tautuaa chimed in 13 and 10 points, respectively, for San Miguel.

The Scores

TNT 115 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16, Castro 14, Erram 14, Nambatac 6, Williams 6, Galinato 2, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0.

San Miguel 97 – Fajardo 34, Trollano 13, Pope 10, Tautuaa 10, Lassiter 9, Perez 9, Cruz 6, Ross 3, Tiongson 3, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0.

Quarters: 31-19, 56-49, 87-70, 115-97.

– Rappler.com