The Tropang Giga gave Meralco a dose of its own medicine.
Best known as a well-oiled offensive team, TNT Tropang Giga turned to defense to drub the Meralco Bolts, 99-80, in Game 3 of the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
TNT gave its foes a dose of its own medicine, limiting the Bolts to just 30 points in the first 24 minutes of action.
It worked. Now, the Tropang Giga are a win away from booking a seat in the finals against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa said defense spelled doom for the Tropang Giga in their Game 2 loss.
“What happened in the second game is we threw away all our defensive techniques on how to help. We gave so many drives to the basket,” he said after the game.
They made sure not to fall into that quagmire again in Game 3.
“You can see tonight it was more of a defensive game. And we didn't even hit 100 points today, which is strange,” said Lastimosa, whose team also had 5 steals in Wednesday’s contest.
“We can also play the game like they (Bolts) do. They’re a defensive team, and we can also be a defensive grind out team like tonight.”
Lastimosa, who got 40 points from import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and 29 from Mikey Williams, is hopeful the Tropang Giga can do the same as they try to finish off the Bolts on Friday.
“Credit to the coaches that devised the game plan tonight. We hope to sustain that in the next game,” he said.