PBA: TNT easily handles Meralco, moves on verge of Finals | Inquirer Sports
PBA

PBA: TNT easily handles Meralco, moves on verge of Finals

/ 08:33 PM March 29, 2023

Rondae Hollis Jefferson TNT PBA

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines-TNT moved one win from arranging a title showdown with Barangay Ginebra after cruising to a 99-80 win over Meralco in their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson produced 40 points for his best output in his PBA stint while adding 13 rebounds as the Tropang Giga gained a 2-1 lead in their best-of-five series by bouncing back from a tough overtime loss in Game 2 last Sunday.

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Mikey Williams fired 29 points to give TNT two chances to secure a place in the league’s grandest stage against Ginebra, which earlier swept San Miguel Beer in the other semis pairing.

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The Tropang Giga for the clincher on Wednesday at the same venue.

Game 5, if necessary, will be played at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

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Import KJ McDaniels produced 30 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks in another strong showing but the Bolts were out of sync three days after tying the series.

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Like in Game 1, TNT took command right from the onset as Hollis-Jefferson and Williams combined for 23 to put their team up 30-15 at the end of the opening period,

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TNT stretched the gap in the second and went to the locker room ahead 56-30 at the break, but had to see Meralco create a mini-rally in the second half.

McDaniels and Aaron Black helped Meralco trim the gap to 12 early in the fourth, 78-66. However, the Bolts didn’t find enough power to get closer at TNT.

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A three by Williams eventually sent the Tropang Giga ahead 88-68 with less than five minutes to go in the contest.
Game 2 heroes Black and Cliff Hodge scored 11 points each, the former grabbing 11 rebounds while Chris Newsome had a 12-point showing on 6-of-12 from the field with five rebounds and five assists.

The scores:

TNT 99—Hollis-Jefferson 40, Williams M. 29, Pogoy 7, Castro 7, Oftana 4, Erram 4, Khobuntin 3, Montalbo 3, Chua 2, Varilla 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.

MERALCO 80—McDaniels 30, Newsome 12, Black 11, Hodge 11, Maliksi 4, Almazan 3, Caram 3, Pasaol 3, Jose 2, Quinto 1, Banchero 0, Pascual 0.

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Quarters: 30-15, 56-30, 75-59, 99-80.

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TAGS: PBA, TNT Tropang Giga

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