TNT draws first blood vs. Ginebra in PBA Finals
Metro Manila, Philippines - TNT Tropang Giga showed off its dominance against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 95-89, at the opener of their PBA Commissioner's Cup title showdown at the MOA Arena in Pasay City Friday evening.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took the spotlight, firing off a near-triple double performance with 34 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists, spearheading TNT as it drew first blood against the Gin Kings.
The import already registered 23 points by the half and sealed the victory for Tropang Giga with a couple of freebies.
Justin Brownlee's final free throws and RJ Abarrientos’ last four-pointer effort was not enough to overtake TNT’s 93-81 lead during the final quarter’s last two minutes.
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Ginebra was outplayed by Tropang Giga despite the absence of Jayson Castro for the latter. RR Pogoy rifled in five treys while Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Rey Nambatac and Glenn Khobuntin fired two each in hot TNT shooting that well made up for the ace playmaker’s absence.
"We knew Ginebra will make a run (in the second half) so we reminded the players to stay calm and expect it. That team is too good, too strong, too deep for us to have that kind of lead all throughout," TNT coach Chot Reyes said in a PBA release.
"When they made their run, we came back because the player got their composure and the rest was our defense," he added.
Despite the Game 1 triumph, Reyes anticipates a big Ginebra fightback in Game 2 on Sunday, March 16, at the same venue.
