TNT ends EASL campaign with loss to South Korea’s Anyang

FILE–TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. -EASL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–TNT saw its campaign in the East Asia Super League come to an end with an 88-76 home loss to South Korean side Anyang Jung Kwan Jang on Wednesday at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Despite strong efforts from import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in his return from injury, the Tropang Giga couldn’t overhaul an early deficit and missed out on a spot in the season’s Final Four after ending Group A with a 1-5 record.

The Korean Basketball League club emerged as the second team to reach the semis, joining the Japan’s B.League outfit Chiba Jets who won all six matches.

Robert Carter led the way for Anyang, champions of last year’s EASL Champions Week, with 23 points while Jamil Wilson debuted with 15 after his PBA Commissioner’s Cup stint for Converge ended recently.

Hollis-Jefferson finished with a game-high 33 points after being sidelined for more than a month due to a collision against the Taipei Fubon Braves.

His older brother Rahlir added 20 for the Tropang Giga, who were missing Commissioner’s Cup top scorer Calvin Oftana.

TNT did cut an 18-point first half deficit down to five, 78-73, in the fourth on a three by Ryan Reyes, but Anyang was able to preserve the victory in the end.

A three by Seongwon Choi, a basket by Jihoon Park and a fadeaway by Wilson brought Anyang back in double digit at 85-73, almost two minutes left in the contest.

Anyang’s Filipino import Rhenz Abando was in the venue but in street clothes as he’s still covering from a scary fall in a KBL game few weeks back.