Rondae Hollis-Jefferson saved TNT from Meralco, 101-99, for its third straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Tuesday night at the Philsports Arena.
The two-time Best Import canned the marginal free throws with 10 seconds left, and then tried to contest the potential game-tying trey of Cliff Hodge before time expired to make sure that the Tropang Giga wouldn’t collapse completely.
It’s because the crew of Coach Chot Reyes coughed up a lead as big as 23 points and fell behind thrice inside the final 4:11 but RHJ, Jayson Castro, and Roger Pogoy nailed crucial hits to keep themselves in the thick of the fight.
“In the end, the players made big plays,” said head coach Chot Reyes whose team improved to 3-2 in the standings. “I guess that’s the story of the game.”
Hollis-Jefferson finished with a double-double of 24 points and 13 rebounds, alongside five assists, two steals, and two blocks for a full line.
Calvin Oftana fired 24 points as well, spiked by three triples. Rey Nambatac supplied 15 points, on top of six rebounds, four assists, and three steals.
Pogoy added 12 points as he and Hollis-Jefferson joined hands for the crucial 7-2 run to finish the game and thwart the Bolts’ comeback attempt.
And by foiling that bid, they also burst the bubble of a team that’s coming off a gritty 88-83 victory over guest team Hong Kong Eastern last Sunday.
Meralco fell to 4-3 following the loss. The wards of Coach Luigi Trillo have now lost thrice in their last four games — that, after a 3-0 start into the tilt.
Akil Mitchell paced the losing side with 24 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals. Chris Newsome had 19 points and eight assists.
Chris Banchero made 14 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the floor, while Bong Quinto added 12 markers, five boards, and three dimes in the loss.
Both teams will see action once more later this week, with the Bolts going first to meet NLEX in another all-MVP affair on Friday before TNT takes the court the next day to take on Converge. Both games are at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Scores:
TNT 101 -Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Aurin 5, Galinato 5, Khobuntin 3, Razon 0, Varilla 0
Meralco 99 – Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Bates 4, Almazan 4, Cansino 3, Caram 0
Quarterscores: 27-17, 52-35, 79-68, 101-99.
