Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shot 10-of-25 from the field but did a lot more to lead TNT to the Game 1 win against Rain or Shine in the PBA semifinals.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made flirting with a triple-double look easy in TNT's 90-81 triumph over Rain or Shine in their PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup semifinal opener at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Oct. 9.
Hollis-Jefferson, who collected 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, begged to differ, though.
"I don't think it was easy," Hollis-Jefferson told reporters during the presser.
The former Brooklyn Net needed to do almost everything to score the confidence-boosting win for TNT after being idle for seven days since sweeping NLEX in their quarterfinal showdown.
"They really had a good game plan. I turned the ball over the most I think this conference," said the naturalized player for Jordan.
“Part of it was being off seven days washing off that rust. Part of it was they played really hard. They played physical, they challenged me.”
While he produced an all-around game, Hollis-Jefferson shot 10-for-25 from the field for 40 percent while also committing a team-high five turnovers in close to 46 minutes of play.
That was something that pleased Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao.
“To limit RHJ to under 40 percent scoring, that’s already an accomplishment,” said Guiao.
Fortunately for RHJ and the Tropang Giga, the other locals stepped up.
RR Pogoy backstopped Hollis-Jefferson with 16 points and seven rebounds, Rey Nambatac scored 14 and collared nine boards against his former team, while Calvin Oftana turned in 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Still, it was RHJ who made the difference after nailing the four-pointer to beat the shot clock buzzer and give TNT a comfortable 90-79 lead with 1:47 remaining in the game.
“Tingin ko, we’re still in the game, in the endgame, except noong pumasok 'yung four-point shot ni RHJ. That kind of broke our back,” said Guiao.
Though saddled by foul trouble, Aaron Fuller still submitted 18 points and 21 rebounds. He also had two assists and a steal.
Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio added 14 and 13 points, respectively.
The Scores:
TNT 90 – Hollis-Jefferson 26, Pogoy 16, Nambatac 14, Oftana 11, Castro 9, Aurin 6, Erram 5, Khobuntin 3, Galinato 0, Williams 0, Heruela 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 81 – Fuller 18, Mamuyac 14, Asistio 13, Nocum 7, Lemetti 7, Clarito 6, Datu 6, Norwood 5, Santillan 4, Caracut 1, Belga 0.
Quarterscores: 22-24, 39-43, 75-66, 90-81