PBA: League-leading TNT boots out NorthPort
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-TNT slammed the door on NorthPort’s quarterfinal hopes after rolling to a 134-110 victory in the resumption of the PBA Governors’ Cup on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.
A 47-point second quarter led by import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and RR Pogoy allowed the Tropang Giga to overcome an early deficit and produce a lopsided win in the league’s return to serious business following the All-Star Weekend in Passi City, Iloilo.
“I didn’t realize we scored 47 points in the second quarter because we were in a groove,” said coach Jojo Lastimosa as TNT stayed on top with a 9-1 record going into Friday’s elimination round finale against second-ranked Barangay Ginebra.
NorthPort ended the conference with a 3-8 record, allowing Phoenix to secure the eighth and final quarters berth.
TNT’s RR Pogoy. –PBA IMAGES
Phoenix had already finished the eliminations with four victories and seven defeats.
The blowout win came after TNT’s disappointing campaign in the East Asia Super League in Japan where it suffered defeats at the hands of B.League outfit Utsunomiya Brex and Korean Basketball League side Seoul SK Knights.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 31 points, 11 rebounds and three assists while Pogoy, coming off a vital performance in Team Japeth’s win over Team Scottie in the All-Star Game, produced 22 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals for the Tropang Giga.
Import Kevin Murphy produced 35 points, 10 rebounds and three assists in the Batang Pier’s final game for Season 47.
Robert Bolick tallied 14 points, eight rebounds and six assists before he heads into the offseason as a free agent and ponder whether he would stay with NorthPort or entertain offers to play overseas.
The scores:
TNT 134 — Hollis-Jefferson 31, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16, Williams K 12, Williams M. 9, Chua 8, Khobuntin 7, Tungcab 7, Montalbo 6, Ganuelas-Rosser 6, Varilla 5, Castro 2, Cruz 2, Marcelo 1, Acuno 0.
NORTHPORT 110 — Murphy 35, Tolentino 19, Zamar 15, Bolick 14, Munzon 10, Caperal 5, Sumang 3, Chan 3, Taha 2, Calma 2, Ayaay 2, Salado 0, Vigil 0, Balagasay 0.
Quarters: 19-27, 66-43, 109-69, 134-110.
