MANILA (UPDATED) — The TNT Tropang Giga spoiled the comeback attempt of the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters for an early lead in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup semifinals.
The Chot Reyes-coached team held off the E-Painters, 90-81, in Game 1 of their seven-game series at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
"I just told the guys at halftime to relax. I thought the game was already going our way. We were down by four, but the pace was in our favor. All I said was: We have them where we want them, so we just get them in the second half," Reyes said on their efforts that limited ROS to only scoring 38 points in the second half.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was stellar for the reigning Govs’ Cup champions and flirted with a triple-double, putting up a 26-point, 13-rebound game together with nine assists, five s†éáls, and four blocks.
RR Pogoy, Rey Nambatac, and Calvin Oftana also joined the Tropang Giga party by scoring 16, 14, and 11, respectively, while Poy Erram and Henry Galinato manned their front line by limiting ROS import Aaron Fuller to only 18 points on 7/19 shooting from the field.
Trailing 43-39 at halftime, TNT put the clamps on ROS in the second half while also pouring in 36 markers in the third period.
This eventually allowed them to lead by 13, 80-67, later on, but Yeng Guiao’s men wouldn’t give in just yet.
A Keith Datu trey and Jhonard Clarito deuce made it possible for Rain or Shine to get to within seven, 86-79, with still three minutes left in the game and give themselves a chance to close in further on their counterparts.
However, Felix Lemetti, Fuller, and Clarito fired blanks in their next possessions, while RHJ delivered the dagger for TNT with only 40 ticks left in the contest by hitting a shot from four-point country.
Aside from his scoring production, Fuller had 21 rebounds but with five turnovers, while Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio had 14 and 13, respectively.
Game 2 of the series will be on Friday, 5:00 p.m., at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City. The Scores: TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 26, Pogoy 16, Nambatac 14, Oftana 11, Castro 9, Aurin 6, Erram 5, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, Williams 0, Heruela 0. RAIN OR SHINE 81 – Fuller 18, Mamuyac 14, Asistio 13, Nocum 7, Lemetti 7, Clarito 6, Datu 6, Norwood 5, Santillan 4, Caracut 1, Belga 0. QUARTERS: 22-24, 39-43, 75-66, 90-81.
PH