Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and the rest of TNT will take a quick break before going back to work in time for the PBA Comm's Cup Finals beginning March 14.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson did not look like he had been fasting for the past week in observance of Ramadan.
The TNT import erupted for 42 points to power his squad past Rain or Shine, 97-92, in Game 5 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals Friday, March 7.
[RELATED STORY: TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson braces for Ramadan, PBA Commissioner's Cup semis]
Hollis-Jefferson also had 11 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks as the Tropang Giga booked the first ticket to the Finals.
While it looked easy for him, it was quite the contrary, according to RHJ.
“They made me work through everything. Every time we match up against them (Elasto Painters) is a challenge. They played extremely well. They’re talented,” said RHJ after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
[WATCH: TNT shows Rain or Shine the exit door, advances to Finals | PBA Highlights | OneSports.PH]
At one point in the third period, the Tropang Giga actually trailed by as many as 13 points.
But the Governors’ Cup champion remained poised in the face of the Elasto Painters’ barrage.
Calvin Oftana reacts during the TNT Tropang Giga's Game 4 tiff with the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup semifinals. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports
Behind RHJ and Rey Nambatac, TNT clawed back little by little and made the game interesting entering the fourth period.
“I think we stayed calm; we stayed poised. They were up a little bit. I think they were up [13 at 46-59]. We just told our guys if we’re going to do this, we've got to stay calm,” said the two-time Best Import.
An eight-to-nothing rally in the fourth period allowed the Tropang Giga to seize control, 82-77.
Adrian Nocum tried to make something happen for Rain or Shine as he knocked down a quick four-pointer with nine seconds remaining, 96-92.
[ALSO READ: BINI Aiah enjoys safe space moments with Caelan Tiongson, close friends in chill game night]
But TNT held on for the victory that catapulted it back to the Finals for the second time this season.
“I think in the third quarter, we came in the halfcourt in a huddle and said, ‘Let’s do it guys!’ That’s when it started to click. We started believing in each other. Chot (Reyes) believed in us. The rest is history,” said RHJ.
Nambatac finished with 12 points, four rebounds, eight assists and two steals. Calvin Oftana added 12 points and the same number of rebounds.
TNT now awaits the winner between Ginebra and NorthPort, who are battling in their own Game 5 duel as of this writing.
Reinforcement Deon Thompson paced the Elasto Painters with 34 points, six rebounds and three blocks.
Nocum had 13 points, six rebounds, seven assists and one steal.
The Scores:
TNT 97 – Hollis-Jefferson 42, Nambatac 12, Oftana 12, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 9,Williams 8, Aurin 3, Erram 2, Heruela 0, Galinato 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 92 – Thompson 34, Nocum 13, Caracut 10, Tiongson 8, Santillan 7, Lemetti 6, Mamuyac 5, Norwood 5, Ildefonso 4, Clarito 0, Datu 0, Asistio 0.
Quarterscores: 28-27, 44-46, 66-67, 97-92.