TNT’s veteran troika came through down the stretch to repulse Magnolia, 88-82, in an early match-up between perennial contenders in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup, Thursday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Jayson Castro, and Poy Erram joined forces for the 10-0 run toward the 88-80 lead with 31.4 seconds left to play, which were more than enough to lift the Tropang Giga to the top of Group A with a 3-1 record.
Showing that kind of poise was also proof of how much they all learned from the heartbreaking 96-95 loss to Converge just two nights ago, where they fell to the first game-winning four in the league courtesy of Scotty Hopson.
“We said let’s learn our lesson from that defeat and we quickly shifted our focus on Magnolia,” said head coach Chot Reyes. “In practice yesterday, our first 15-20 minutes was video feedback on the Converge game.
“And then, we spent the next 15, 20 minutes on Magnolia already. Because as I said, it’s important that we take a look at the next one. Thankfully we had enough energy,” the champion bench tactician furthered.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 32 points, 19 rebounds, and seven assists in yet another all-around outing from the 29-year-old winger.
He starred in that decisive attack, first by nailing the go-ahead triple with 3:08 to go before capping it off with a jam off his own stop to counterpart Glenn Robinson III, doing so shortly after missing a fadeaway jumper.
That one-hander practically sealed the deal and ensured that the efforts of Erram and Castro in contributing to that run won’t go in vain.
Castro, after that booming trey by RHJ, nailed a lay-up after blowing by the defense of Zav Lucero to push their lead three.
The star guard would be key as well in the back-breaking trey of Erram, kicking it out to his center following the latter’s fade toward near the top of the key to make it an 86-80 Tropa advantage with 1:49 on the clock.
Erram finished with six points while Castro added four as the two overcame minor injuries and helped out in the great escape.
“We all were upset. We were down on ourselves. I took a lot of responsibility ’cause I should’ve been guarding him, but you know, that’s a part of basketball. Things happen. It’s all about getting back,” Hollis-Jefferson said.
“And this was a good test because it’s kinda like the playoffs. You play every other day. We played Tuesday, today is Thursday … They gave us their best effort and we fought back. I feel good about that,” he added.
Rey Nambatac had 15 points, including a four, and five rebounds in the win. Roger Pogoy sank two treys and made 12 while Brian Heruela chipped in 10.
TNT will have some respite before returning to action next Thursday, September 5, to face Terrafirma in the same venue. Tipoff is at 5 p.m.
Robinson, on the other hand, was held to just 19 points but had 15 rebounds against five turnovers to lead Magnolia, who fell to 1-2.
Lucero had 14 points. Paul Lee had 13 points, while Mark Barroca and Ian Sangalang had 12 and 11, respectively, yet their balanced attack wasn’t enough to complete the comeback from a 63-51 third-quarter deficit.
The Hotshots have a chance to bounce back quickly as they play the still-winless Dyip (0-3) this Sunday, September 1, 5 p.m. also at Ninoy.
The Scores:
TNT 88 – Hollis-Jefferson 32, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Heruela 10, Erram 6, Castro 4, Oftana 3, Khobuntin 3, Aurin 3, varilla 0, Exciminiano 0, Ebona 0.
Magnolia 82 – Robinson III 19, Lucero 14, Lee 13, Barroca 12, Sangalang 11, Abueva 7, Dela Rosa 6, Ahanmisi 0, Dionisio 0, Alfaro 0, Escoto 0, Laput 0.
Quarterscores: 29-22, 50-49, 72-66, 88-82.
