Mikey Williams. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-TNT turned the tables on Barangay Ginebra and came away with a 95-82 victory that tied the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at one game apiece on Wednesday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson nearly had a triple-double by posting 23 points, 19 rebounds and nine assists as the Tropang Giga got back at the Gin Kings after dropping the series opener three nights earlier.
And amid a low-scoring affair, TNT got its rhythm from long distance back, with Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy accounting for eight of 15 threes.
Williams had 21 points, four rebounds and three assists and Pogoy posted 17 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Tropang Giga had to withstand the Gin Kings’ repeated rallies in the second half to put the best-of-seven affair back on even terms.
Both teams go for a 2-1 lead on Friday at the same venue.
Ginebra lost with Justin Brownlee being held to just 12 points on 3-of-16 shooting, uncharacteristic numbers from the import who’s used to deliver in big moments.
Christian Standhardinger finished with 29 points and 11 rebounds for Ginebra in a losing cause.
Standhardinger’s numbers didn’t affect TNT severely in the contest even if it came with a disadvantage in the middle with Kelly Williams still not cleared, Justin Chua out for the series with an ACL injury and Poy Erram continuing to deal with his composure.
The scores:
TNT 95—Hollis-Jefferson 23, Williams M. 21, Pogoy 17, Oftana 14, Khobuntin 8, Castro 8, Erram 4, Montalbo 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0.
GINEBRA 82—Standhardinger 29, Malonzo 17, Thompson 16, Brownlee 12, Pringle 5, Gray 3, Pinto 0, David 0, Mariano 0.
Quarters: 27-16, 51-39, 67-64, 95-82.