Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did almost everything for TNT in the Game 5 win over Rain or Shine.
TNT coach Chot Reyes pointed to a telling run as the key in the Tropang Giga's 113-95 win over Rain or Shine in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals on Friday, October 18.
TNT unleashed a 12-to-nothing rally to start the second period at 40-25 and eventually seize control of the match that catapulted the reigning titleholder to the championship stage anew.
The Tropang Giga just seemed like they could not miss after outgunning Rain or Shine, 28-14, in the said quarter to post a comfortable 56-39 heading into halftime.
TNT never looked back after that.
It was a stretch where Reyes felt the Tropang Giga showed off a tremendous defensive effort against the running and gunning Elasto Painters.
“It was a 12-to-nothing run, that means you played some great defense in that stretch,” said Reyes shortly after the match at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“There’s no secret to our game. We really hang our hats on our ability to stop the other team.”
Effort was none more evident in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who produced a stunning 36 points, 11 rebounds, nine assists and six steals for TNT.
From three-pointers, to breakaway dunks, to tough, off-balanced jumpers, everything just clicked for the former Best Import, who will now have the chance to defend the title he helped the Tropang Giga win in 2023.
Backstopping Hollis-Jefferson was RR Pogoy and Kim Aurin, who finished with 19 and 13 points, respectively.
Reyes reiterated everything boiled down to making stops.
“When we make stops, we give ourselves a lot of opportunities. We need a lot of opportunities because we don't shoot the ball particularly well,” said Reyes.
This ended another stellar conference for Rain or Shine, which topped Group B action in the eliminations that featured heavyweights Ginebra and San Miguel.
Import Aaron Fuller paced the youthful team with 14 points, six rebounds and an assist, but sat out most of the fourth period when Elasto Painters coach Yeng Guiao opted for an all-Filipino lineup.
But shaking things up a bit hardly made a difference for Rain or Shine, which shot 38-for-89 from the field or 42.7%.
Adrian Nocum had 13 points and two rebounds, while Gian Mamuyac, Andrei Caracut, and Keith Datu contributed 11 each for the Elasto Painters.
The Scores:
TNT 113 - Hollis-Jefferson 36, Pogoy 19, Aurin 13, Oftana 10, Williams 8, Khobuntin 8, Erram 8, Nambatac 8, Galinato 4, Varilla 0, Ebona 0, Heruela 0, Payawal 0.
Rain or Shine 95 - Fuller 14, Nocum 13, Datu 11, Mamuyac 11, Caracut 11, Santillan 10, Norwood 8, Ildefonso 5, Belga 5, Escandor 3, Clarito 2, Lemetti 2, Asistio 0, Villegas 0.
Quarterscores: 28-25, 56-39, 90-70, 113-95