MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga relied on a dominant start to defeat the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings, 99-72, in Game 5 of the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup Finals last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tallied a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds to go with three assists and one block in just 31 minutes of play as the Tropang Giga moved closer to a title repeat with a 3-2 series lead.
Roger Pogoy added 16 markers, including three outside conversions, while Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, and Jayson Castro contributed 15, 11, and 10 markers, respectively, for TNT.
The Tropang Giga were blazing to start the game behind seven early points from Williams followed by inside and outside conversions from Hollis-Jefferson for a 26-20 advantage.
TNT continued their run in the second quarter behind inside attacks from Hollis-Jefferson and outside conversions from Oftana, Pogoy, and Castro for a 56-33 halftime advantage.
The Tropang Giga broke the game wide open further in the second half courtesy of aggressive offense by Hollis-Jefferson as the lead reached its largest at 84-48 on a four-point shot by Pogoy.
“We just kept our heads around us and not panicked. I think that was the most important thing for us, not to panic so we can make good decisions,” said Tropang Giga head coach Vincent “Chot” Reyes after the game.
“We also just focused on our strength the whole series, which is defense, and I told my players to go back on what got us here (in the PBA Finals), which is to play defense,” he added.
Earl Scottie Thompson and LA Tenorio led the Gin Kings with 13 points apiece, while Stephen Holt contributed 10 markers in the lopsided defeat.
Justin Brownlee, on the other hand, struggled heavily with just eight points, on a paltry 3-of-13 field goal shooting, to go with 10 rebounds, three assists, and a steal for the Gin Kings./PN
BOX SCORE:
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, Ebona 0, Payawal 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.
