PBA: TNT cops back-to-back wins, sinks Blackwater to 7th straight loss

A strong second half propelled TNT to its second successive win after a 105-96 win against skidding Blackwater on Friday in the 2023 PBA Commissioner's Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, whose 22-point first half production steered the Tropang Giga to a slim 52-51 lead after the first two quarters, tallied 42 points on impressive 50 percent shooting percentage while also grabbing 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block as TNT improved to 4-3. 

The Bossing, meanwhile, endured their seventh straight loss to drop to 1-7. 

Despite that big first half from Hollis-Jefferson, TNT could still not pull away for good from the upset-seeking Blackwater but they turned a one-point first half lead to a comfortable 85-68 cushion in the third. 

Blackwater outscored TNT in the fourth, even cutting its deficit to a single digit, 96-105, after a layup from rookie James Kwekuteye with 1:17 left. A pair of turnover and missed shot from Troy Rosario, though, proved costly for the Bossing as TNT cruised to the win. 

TNT has now won their last two games after a tough 2-3 start while Blackwater could get snap out of its slump despite injecting young bloods to its roster with first years Kwekuteye and Archie Concepcion. 

Scores:

TNT 105 – Hollis-Jefferson 42, Castro 18, Oftana 14, Khobnuntin 10, Montalbo 10, Tungcab 6, K.Willaims 2, Galinato 2, Aurin 1, Ponferrada 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Heruela 0.

Blackwater 96 – Ortiz 25, Suerte 13, Rosario 12, Ilagan 10, Kwekuteye 10, David 7, Ayonayon 5, Hill 4, Ular 4, Guinto 2, Concepcion 2, DiGregorio 0, Escoto 0.

Quarters: 29-26, 52-51, 85-68, 105-96.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News