PBA: TNT rallies to beat NLEX in quarterfinals opener

TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shoots against NLEX in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals.–PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Calvin Oftana delivered when needed after dealing with ailments as TNT came back to defeat NLEX, 107-102, Wednesday and take Game 1 of their best-of-five quarterfinal series in the PBA Governors’ Cup at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

Hollis-Jefferson scored 45 points on top of 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals while Oftana had all of his eight points in the fourth quarter as the Tropang Giga drew first blood in the first round of their playoff series.

TNT won despite trailing by 13 in the second period as NLEX was led by import DeQuan Jones, who went on to finish with 38 points.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals

Game 2 of the series is set Friday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, with TNT hoping to make it two in a row over NLEX.

The Tropang Giga welcomed back Hollis-Jefferson, who sat out Sunday’s final group stage match against the NorthPort Batang Pier to rest his swollen ankle.

That rest obviously benefited Hollis-Jefferson as he delivered the same type of performance that allowed TNT to top Group A with eight wins out of 10 games.

Oftana had to leave the aforementioned win over NorthPort early due to a busted lip courtesy of an inadvertent Arvin Tolentino hit.

READ: PBA: TNT gets job done vs NorthPort ahead of quarterfinals

Jones added 12 rebounds for the Road Warriors in the loss even as Robert Bolick was held to 10 points despite five rebounds and seven assists.

NLEX led 49-36 in the second, but it took time before TNT was able to regain the lead which came in the fourth behind Hollis-Jefferson and Oftana.

Oftana hit two triples in the fourth, the last made it 100-91 for the Tropang Giga, time down to 1:30.