TNT overcomes Rain or Shine to draw first blood in PBA semis

TNT overcame Rain or Shine, 90-81, to draw first blood in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals affair in the PBA Governors' Cup on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.

After trailing by four at the end of the first half, TNT pounded on Rain or Shine in the third period with 36 points against the Elasto Painters' 23 and claimed a 75-66 lead by the end of the said frame.

The Tropang Giga led by as much as 13, 80-67, early in the fourth quarter before freebies from Keith Datu and back-to-back triples from Felix Lemetti gave the Elasto Painters a fighting chance as they inched closer, 80-74, with 7:19 left.

However, baskets from Calvin Oftana and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gave TNT a double-digit lead anew, 77-86. RHJ then drilled a dagger 4-pointer to seal the win for the Tropang Giga.

"We were very happy with the pace of the game and how the game was going at halftime even when we were down four. So all I said at halftime was we have them where we want them so relax and let's just go into the second half and execute what we practiced," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

TNT takes Game 1 of its semis series vs Rain or Shine, 90-81.

Here’s Coach Chot’s thoughts about the win. @gmasportsph pic.twitter.com/xvWSDegUU4

— JK Carandang (@jk_carandang) October 9, 2024

"We cut down on our mistakes and I think the result was that the team was still playing the defense we wanted to play that's why the result was what it is."

RHJ posted a near triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, five steals, and four blocks, while Calvin Oftana registered a double-double with 11 points and 10 rebounds. RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac had 16 and 14 points, respectively.

Aaron Fuller had 21 rebounds, 18 points, two assists, and a steal, while Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio had 14 and 13 points, respectively.

Game 2 of the semis will be played on Friday.

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.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News