Vets take charge as TNT draws first blood in semis duel vs. Rain or Shine

The veterans showed up for TNT as the Tropang Giga eked out a narrow 88-84 win against rival Rain or Shine in Game 1 of their best-of-seven semifinals in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup on Wednesday. 

TNT took advantage of the endgame lapses of the Elasto Painters with the 38-year-old Jayson Castro leading the way with 24 points together with three assists, two rebounds, and four steals despite being sat out in the last two minutes due to a flagrant foul. 

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Calvin Oftana provided the lift with 23 and 22 markers each with the resident import also grabbing 13 boards, five dimes, four blocks, and a steal. 

The two teams showed familiarity with each other after facing in the playoffs for the third straight time now, going back-and-forth in the first three quarters that saw TNT building a slim 74-70 lead to end the third frame. 

Rain or Shine then regained an 81-79 cushion after Keith Datu and import Deon Thompson provided the lifeline in the fourth period. 

TNT veterans RR Pogoy and Castro, however, came alive with the former completing a layup in transition while the latter calmly sank a pair of free throws to give TNT an 85-81 advantage. 

Hollis-Jefferson's off-balance baseline jumper carried TNT to an 87-82 lead. 

Rain or Shine had plenty of chances to even out the scoreline but back-to-back misses from Jhonard Clarito and Thompson and a bad inbound pass by Andrei Caracut in the final play saw TNT taking the victory. 

Thompson led the way for Rain or Shine with 29 points, 16 rebounds, and two assists while Adrian Nocum finished with 18 markers, 11 boards, and two blocks. 

TNT will look to get a 2-0 series lead on Friday for Game 2 while Rain or Shine hopes to tie it. 

Scores:

TNT 88 – Castro 24, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 22, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 4, Aurin 2, Erram 2, Williams 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.

Rain or Shine 84– Thompson 29, Nocum 18, Datu 9, Santillan 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 4, Caracut 3, Tiongson 3, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 0.

Quarters: 22-28, 51-47, 74-70, 88-84.

—JKC, GMA Integrated News