TNT ousts Rain or Shine, books return ticket to PBA Finals

TNT is back in the PBA Governors' Cup Finals.

The Tropang Giga stopped Rain or Shine, 113-95, in Game 5 of the semifinals on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to advance to the conference finals.

With the win, TNT will also have a chance to defend the title it won last season.

After leading, 28-25, at the end of the first quarter, TNT made a 12-0 run in the second quarter and limited the Elasto Painters to just 14 points in the said frame to claim a 56-39 lead at the end of the first half.

"That means we played some good defense in that stretch," TNT head coach Chot Reyes said. 

"The story was in that run, in that stretch and I think that wore them down."

TNT then led by as much as 27, 72-45, early in the third period before notching the win.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga with 36 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, six steals, and one block, while RR Pogoy added 12 points. Kim Aurin and Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller had 14 points, while Adrian Nocum had 13 points. Gian Mamuyac, Keith Datu, and Andrei Caracut had 11 points apiece.

TNT will now wait for the winner of the series between Barangay Ginebra and San Miguel.

Scores:

TNT 113 - Hollis-Jefferson 36, Pogoy 19, Aurin 12, Oftana 10, Nambatac 8, Khobuntin 8, Williams 8, Erram 8, Galinato 4, Heruela 0, Payawl 0, Vailla 0, Ebona 0.

Rain or Shine 95 - Fuller 14, Nocum 13, Mamuyac 11, Datu 11, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Norwood 8, Ildefonso 5, Belga 5, Escandor 3, Lemetti 2, Clarito 2, Villegas 0, Asistio 0.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News