New TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in the PBA Governors’ Cup. –PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–New import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson displayed his NBA pedigree in a big way as TNT blasted Blackwater, 138-116, to continue its winning ways in the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Mall of Asia Arena.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 37 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists after being tapped as a surprise replacement for the equally-efficient Jalen Hudson to help the Tropang Giga get their sixth win in seven matches.
“He gives a little bit of everything,” said Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa, whose team was able to secure a clearance from South Korea where Hollis-Jefferson previously played.
But it was RR Pogoy who ended up outscoring Hollis-Jefferson as he put up 40 points as he and the former Brooklyn Net fell short of making history.
Hollis-Jefferson and Pogoy nearly became the first teammates to each score 40 in a game since 1992 when Terrance Bailey had 45 and Allan Caidic produced 42 in Presto’s 147-136 win over San Miguel Beer.
Mikey Williams, Glenn Khobuntin and Calvin Oftana also reached double figures during a high-scoring affair which saw TNT hitting 16 triples.
Blackwater dropped to 1-6 after dropping its fifth straight game.
Import Troy Williams scored 22 points for the struggling Bossing.
The scores:
TNT 138 — Pogoy 40, Hollis-Jefferson 37, Williams M. 14, Khobuntin 13, Oftana 11, Williams K. 7, Chua 6, Cruz 4, Montalbo 4, Acuno 2, Varilla 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
BLACKWATER 116 — Williams T. 22, Casio 21, Ilagan 16, Hill 15, McCarthy 11, Taha 10, Sena 3, Amer 3, Ayonayon 3, Torralba 3, Banal 2, Ular 2, Escoto 2, Suerte 2, DiGregorio 1.