TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. —PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT got to work in the third quarter to hammer out a 105-96 victory over Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Friday night.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was spectacular once again, putting up 42 points and 12 rebounds, and was just two assists short of tabbing a triple-double that helped the Tropang Giga to a 4-3 mark in the race.
Jayson Castro chipped in 18 points off the bench, while Calvin Oftana, Glenn Khobuntin, and Kib Montalbo all chipped in with at least 10 points each in the effort that had the perennial contenders put together another streak after their previous one was snapped by sister team Meralco.
“We talked about it a lot–about guys being ready, being locked in, and being able to put the ball in the basket. And the guys came today ready to do that, came today focused. If that is what it’s going to take to win, I’m sure the guys are ready, willing, and able to do that. And I’m proud of them,” said Hollis-Jefferson, the comebacking import who steered TNT to the Governors’ Cup title last season.
TNT currently sits on the sixth spot, two notches below the threshold for a twice-to-beat protection in the PBA playoffs.
Blackwater drew 25 points and 20 boards from import Chris Ortiz but hardly had any help from the locals when TNT mounted that cutthroat pull-away.
Rey Suerte added 13 points, skipper Troy Rosario 12 while RK Ilagan and newly-signed rookie out of San Beda James Kwekuteye had 10 each in the seventh-straight loss that pushed the Bossing even deeper with a 1-7 record.
TNT will tackle San Miguel Beer next followed by defending champion Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day.
Blackwater, meanwhile, will play NLEX before the Yuletide break.