TNT came out of the break firing and never let up to snap Terrafirma’s two-game winning streak, 133-93, for back-to-back victories in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, Wednesday at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.
Calvin Oftana and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ignited the Tropang Giga’s sudden 41-point explosion in the third quarter, breaking the game wide open after leading narrowly at the half as their import-less foes were left shell-shocked.
“This game, really, we were kinda worried about,” said head coach Jojo Lastimosa. “If they were complete, we know that they’re a really, really strong team. The two wins they had in the beginning, they were playing well.”
Hollis-Jefferson finished with a full line of 37 points, six rebounds, six assists, a steal, and a block in 29 minutes to top-bill for the victors, who improved to 2-1 to join NorthPort, Meralco, and Phoenix at no. 2 in the standings.
Oftana, on the other hand, had himself a turnover-less outing as he registered 15 points, seven boards, the same amount of dimes, and a steal.
Oftana and Hollis-Jefferson joined hands for a quick 7-0 run to open the third to give TNT a 65-55 advantage before Kelly Williams and Glenn Khobuntin joined in the fray to push their lead to 73-57 to start the one-sided affair.
Jayson Castro had 15 points as well off the bench together with four rebounds and two assists. Rookie big man Henry Galinato also scored 15, including 11 in the fourth quarter when the game was all but settled.
Williams supplied 13 points for the Tropa, which have now beaten the Dyip for 16 straight times dating back to the 2016-17 season.
TNT will look to make it three successive wins against sister team Bolts on Sunday, November 25, 3 p.m. at the Philsports Arena in Pasig.
Leading Terrafirma, meanwhile, was Isaac Go with 14 and 10 as the sophomore big man played extended minutes for the depleted crew.
The Dyip did not have Thomas de Thaey as the Belgian bruiser is nursing a groin injury, which he sustained in their 113-112 win over NLEX last Saturday.
Main man Juami Tiongson and rookie Kemark Carino were missed badly as well by head coach Johnedel Cardel in the game due to illness.
Top pick Stephen Holt tried to help with his 13 points, 10 rebounds, and five assists. Eric Camson had 12, while reigning Player of the Week Javi Gomez de Liano got held to only 10 points and five boards in the crushing defeat.
Terrafirma, now with a 2-2 card following the loss, will aim to bounce back versus the Fuel Masters next Wednesday, November 29, 4 p.m. also at the Big Dome.
The Scores:
TNT 133 – Hollis-Jefferson 37, Castro 15, Oftana 15, Galinato 15, K.Williams 13, Tungcab 8, Cruz 8, Aurin 6, Tolomia 6, Khobuntin 4, Ponferrada 3, Reyes 3, Heruela 0, Flores 0.
Terrafirma 93 – Gomez de Liano 16, Go 14, Holt 13, Camson 12, Alolino 9, Miller 8, Cahilig 7, Calvo 7, Ramos 4, Mina 3, Olivario 0, Daquioag 0.
Quarterscores: 28-26, 58-55, 99-71, 133-93.
