TNT sends NLEX packing, clinches PBA semis berth

TNT bolstered its title defense after closing out NLEX, 125-96, in Game 4 of their best-of-five quarterfinals series of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Tuesday.

The defending champion Tropang Giga finished the series, 3-1. It now awaits the winner of the other QF pairing between Magnolia and Rain or Shine.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was at the forefront of the mighty TNT offense, dropping 35 points on an efficient 60-percent shooting from the field while also grabbing 11 rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block to help TNT send its sister team home.

Rey Nambatac, who recently joined the franchise after being involved in a trade last July, backstopped the import with 19 markers together with three boards and one dime while RR Pogoy chipped in 18 points.

TNT's offensive performance is proof that the Tropang Giga is slowly reaching its peak as they move forward in the playoffs.

"This sport is about playing defense, certainly, but it's really also about putting the ball in the hoop and I think in the quarterfinals, we finally hit some shots," TNT coach Chot Reyes said.

"If you will notice, our field goal percentages in the elimination round were very low on all fronts, from two points, three points, everything. But we took a good hard look at the film and we gauged the quality of our misses."

Three more TNT players reached double-digit marks with Calvin Oftana and Glenn Khobuntin adding 11 points each as the latter picked up where he left off from his perfect 5-of-5 three-point shooting night during their Game 3 triumph the other day.

Robert Bolick, meanwhile, paced the Road Warriors in the sorry loss after posting 25 points alongside seven assists, five rebounds, two steals, and one block while reinforcement DeQuan Jones added 21 markers.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News