ANTIPOLO — Jayson Castro proved pivotal yet again as TNT methodically tore apart Barangay Ginebra, 104-88, to draw first blood in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals, Sunday night at the Ynares Center here.
The five-time BPC scored 12 of his 14 points in the third quarter, taking matters into his own hands to repel the Kings’ fightback that saw him consciously target RJ Abarrientos’ defense in a masterclass of sorts against the rookie.
His teammates would go on to contribute in the final chapter for the strong closeout to help the Tropa establish a 1-0 lead in the best-of-7 affair.
“They make those calls, we really don’t run too many plays. We read and react and we look for advantages in the game,” said Coach Chot Reyes.
“I always tell the players: they are the strategy. Whatever happens inside the court, they will be the ones to make the adjustment. Sila ‘yung mag-a-adjust, sila yung magpi-pivot, sila yung magka-counter,” the champion mentor added.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT with 19 points, 10 rebounds, and four assists as he played a key role in their 17-4 start into the series opener.
Rey Nambatac delivered his own double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds with seven assists, bagging Player of the Game honors in the process as the lefty guard overcame jitters in his first-ever Finals appearance.
Poy Erram made his presence felt also with 15 points while Roger Pogoy fired two triples and scored 12 as five men finished in double figures in the win.
The dominant win has given TNT momentum for Game 2 on Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Still, Reyes and Co. expect no less than a retaliation from a team hungry to avenge its loss in the 2023 finale.
Especially after holding the crowd darlings to their lowest output in this playoffs mainly by forcing them to an ugly 2-of-21 shooting from three-point area.
“They really rely a lot on their three-point shooting and there are days when it’s going to be off. But that’s not going to be everyday. That’s why we have to be prepared for the next game because we know hindi palaging ganyan,” he said.
Justin Brownlee himself was far from the usual and shot just 38-percent although he still finished with 23 points for Ginebra.
Japeth Aguilar made 14 points as he was their primary source of offense early.
Ralph Cu supplied 13 points, five rebounds, and six assists while Stephen Holt and Maverick Ahanmisi added 12 and 10 markers, respectively.
It was a crushing defeat for the Barangay as it sent the pro-Kings crowd of 11,021 — an all-time league record in this venue — home disappointed.
The Scores:
TNT 104 – Hollis-Jefferson 19, Nambatac 18, Erram 15, Castro 14, Pogoy 12, Oftana 9, Aurin 8, Khobuntin 5, Williams 2, Heruela 2, Payawal 0, Galinato 0.
Ginebra 88 – Brownlee 23, J.Aguilar 14, Cu 13, Holt 12, Ahanmisi 10, Thompson 7, Abarrientos 5, Pinto 2, Tenorio 2, Pessumal 0, Mariano 0, Adamos 0.
Quarterscores: 27-15, 43-37, 72-62, 104-88.
