PBA: TNT rises to 4-1 after trouncing Terrafirma

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–TNT bucked the absence of Calvin Oftana to bring down a Terrafirma side that is also missing a key cog in Juami Tiongson, 107-89, Thursday and end the first round of the PBA Governors’ Cup with the share of the lead in Group A at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 26 points, 11 rebounds, seven assists and two blocks to lead the Tropang Giga to another victory that put them in a tie with the Meralco Bolts for first in the group at 4-1 midway into the campaign.

RR Pogoy and Poy Erram scored 14 points apiece, the latter grabbing seven rebounds, while Kim Aurin added 13 for TNT, which pulled away midway in the fourth after Terrafirma pulled within five, 85-80.

READ: PBA: TNT edges Magnolia in bounce back win

The Tropang Giga scored 10 in a row, majority of which came from Hollis-Jefferson and Aurin, whose triple made it 95-80, to put the fight out of the Dyip, who remained winless after five matches.

Oftana didn’t play for TNT after dealing with a bruised hip he sustained against Magnolia, but could return on Sunday against Converge at the same venue.

While the Tropang Giga hardly missed Oftana, the Dyip sorely needed Tiongson after he hurt his knee in Sunday’s loss to the Magnolia Hotshots.

READ: PBA: TNT dismantles Meralco for 2-0 start

Also injured for Terrafirma was sophomore center Kemark Carino.

Import Antonio Hester posted 23 points and 18 rebounds as he, Christian Standhardinger and rookie Paolo Hernandez combined to keep things close for Terrafirma in the first three quarters.

Standhardinger finished with 18 points, 14 rebounds and four assists with Hernandez having 13 for the defeated Terrafirma squad.