TNT took a major step in its PBA Governors’ Cup title defense bid by reaching the Season 49 semifinals after finishing off NLEX, 125-96, in Game 4 of their best-of-5 quarters series, Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
The Tropang Giga took a decade’s worth of a lead after the first quarter, then scored 11 straight points to open the next frame and they would be in control the rest of the way toward securing the gentleman’s sweep to advance.
Now they will have the benefit of rest as the defending champs await the winner between Rain or Shine and Magnolia — a series that’s headed to a Game 5.
“In basketball, it’s about playing defense and putting the ball in the hoops. In the quarterfinals, we finally hit some shots,” said head coach Chot Reyes.
“Whichever we play will be a much different team, and it will be a test for our flexibility and adaptability. It will be a big test for our defense,” he added.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson showed the way for TNT once more with 35 points on an efficient 12-of-20 shooting from the floor, alongside 11 rebounds.
Rey Nambatac was felt as well, making a four and a three each for 19 points to lead the locals. Roger Pogoy had 18 on a 6-of-7 clip from the field.
Calvin Oftana had a double-double of his own with 11 points and 10 rebounds. Glenn Khobuntin scored 11 as well, while Poy Erram added 10 as the Tropa showed how much it learned from its 2024 Philippine Cup exit.
Reyes and Co. were only one win away from the semis when they took Game 1 of the best-of-3 quarters against the Elasto Painters, only for the latter to come back and win the next two — including a 110-109 Game 3 decision.
“I just reminded the guys of that, to make sure that we don’t get to a knockout game this time around. Very glad that they responded,” Reyes said.
Robert Bolick, meanwhile, led the Road Warriors with 25 points as he’s yet to reach the PBA semis. His NorthPort did in the 2019 Governors’ Cup, but the star guard sustained an ACL tear early in the conference.
DeQuan Jones had 21 points on 19 shots as the TNT defense limited him in the last two games of the series after dropping 38 apiece in Games 1 and 2.
The team of Coach Jong Uichico absorbed back-to-back double-digit beatdowns to end their campaign, losing by an average margin of 23.5 points.
The Scores:
TNT 125 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Nambatac 19, Pogoy 18, Oftana 11, Khobuntin 11, Erram 10, Williams 5, Aurin 5, Exciminiano 4, Payawal 3, Castro 2, Heruela 2, Ebona 0, Galiinato 0, Varilla 0.
NLEX 96 – Bolick 25, Jones 21, Policarpio 12, Nermal 10, Torres 9, Anthony 5, Valdez 4, Semerad 3, Herndon 2, Nieto 2, Fajardo 2, Mocon 1, Rodger 0, Miranda 0, Amer 0.
Quarterscores: 35-25, 66-46, 95-74, 125-96.
