TNT's Rondae Hollis-Jefferson outshone Rain or Shine's Aaron Fuller as he gave the Tropang Giga win No. 1 in their PBA best-of-seven semifinal showdown.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson nailed the dagger as TNT downed Rain or Shine, 90-81, for a strong start to the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup best-of-seven semifinals on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists while also getting five steals and four blocks.
With the Elasto Painters still posing a threat at 79-86, the Tropang Giga went to Hollis-Jefferson, who beat the shot clock buzzer as he drained a four-pointer to hike their lead to 90-79 with 1:47 left to play.
That pretty much shut the door on Rain or Shine, which drew 18 points and 21 rebounds from import Aaron Fuller.
TNT thus joined Brgy. Ginebra San Miguel as Game 1 victors at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.
Game 2 is set on Friday, Oct. 11 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
Tipoff is at 5 p.m.