RHJ takes charge late, carries TNT to commanding 2-0 lead vs. misfiring Ginebra

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took matters into his own hands in the final period, steering TNT to a 96-84 win over Barangay Ginebra in Game of PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The lefty import erupted for 12 points in the crucial fourth quarter to come up with a huge 37-point outing while also grabbing 13 rebounds and seven assists after playing for the entire 48-minute game. 

With the win, the Tropang Giga cruised to a commanding 2-0 series lead over the Gin Kings and moved two wins away from back-to-back Governors' Cup title. 

"I was blessed to be able to compete at a high level and sustain it. I was blessed but it also comes with work ethic, extra work, cardio. I think that goes a long way," Hollis-Jefferson said. 

Separated from Ginebra by just a point at the end of the third, the Tropang Giga knew they had to find answers to the perimeter shooting of Gin Kings with Scottie Thompson, RJ Abarrientos, and Maverick Ahanmisi hitting their shots from downtown. 

Hollis-Jefferson turned out to be that man. After Jayson Castro and RR Pogoy buried back-to-back triples to open the fourth, the American reinforcement took care of the job the rest of the way. 

He first completed a three-point play before his three-pointer sent the defending champions to a 91-81 cushion in the final 3:10 of the fourth. 

TNT completely shut down Ginebra after a Glenn Khobuntin triple, but it was a pair of free throws from Hollis-Jefferson that sealed the win for the wards of head coach Chot Reyes. 

Calvin Oftana and Khobuntin both finished with 13 points with the former San Beda standout also collecting 14 rebounds, two assists, and one steal. 

Justin Brownlee went 7-of-17 from the field to tally a team-high 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two blocks while Scottie Thompson chipped in 18 markers, nine boards, four dimes, and one block.

Scores:

TNT 96 – Hollis-Jefferson 37, Oftana 13, Khobuntin 13, Castro 9, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 6, Erram 4, Williams 3, Aurin 2.

Ginebra 84 – Brownlee 19, Thompson 18, Holt 11, J.Aguilar 11, Abarrientos 7, Ahanmisi 7, Cu 7, Pinto 4.

Quarters: 19-23, 49-41, 72-71, 96-84.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News