MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga leaned on their torrid outside shooting early before escaping with a 95-89 victory over Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals last night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a near triple-double of 34 points, 13 rebounds, and eight assists to go with one steal and a block to be named Player of the Game.
The Tropang Giga took a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series. Roger Pogoy chipped in 15 markers, on five three-point conversions, Calvin Oftana ended with 10 points and nine rebounds, while Rey Nambatac tallied 10 points for the Tropang Giga.
After surrendering the first five points of the game to the Gin Kings, the Tropang Giga took control with eight three-point conversions in the first quarter behind Kelly Williams, Pogoy, Oftana, and Nambatac for a 29-18 lead.
The Tropang Giga continued their dominance in the second quarter courtesy of inside hits from Hollis-Jefferson and outside baskets from Pogoy and Oftana to stretch the lead to 55-39 at the half.
The Gin Kings started strong in the third quarter, cutting the deficit to eight points, but the Tropang Giga had their response from Hollis-Jefferson and Kim Aurin to maintain a double-digit edge.
TNT continued to keep Ginebra at bay in the fourth quarter before the latter made their last push at 89-93 on an inside hit from Justin Brownlee and a four-point shot from Rhon Jay Abarrientos before Hollis-Jefferson sealed the win with free throws.
“Well, we talked about it at halftime, we are sure that Ginebra is going to make a run, and we just reminded the team to stay calm,” Tropang Giga head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes said after the game.
“That team (the Gin Kings) is too strong, too good for us to have a lead the entire game, so they made a run, but we maintained our composure, and I think that was the most important thing,” he added.
Brownlee finished with 28 points, 15 rebounds, and eight assists, Earl Scottie Thompson added 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists, while Abarrientos contributed 13 for the Gin Kings./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 15, Oftana 10, Nambatac 10, Williams 8, Khobuntin 8, Erram 5, Aurin 5, Heruela 0, Razon 0.
GINEBRA 89 – Brownlee 28, Thompson 17, Abarrientos 13, Holt 9, J. Aguilar 9, Rosario 8, Gray 3, Malonzo 2, Ahanmisi 0.
Quarterscores: 29-18, 55-39, 80-66, 95-89.
