PBA: TNT, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson beat Rain or Shine in semis opener

TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson against Rain or Shine defender during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals Game 1. –PBA IMAGES

TNT banked on a near triple-double from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a third quarter eruption from Rey Nambatac and its collective effort on the defensive end to defeat Rain or Shine, 90-81, Wednesday in the opener of their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series at Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

Hollis-Jefferson had 26 points capped off with a four-point shot in the waning moments on top of 13 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and four blocks as the Tropang Giga gained a headstart in the best-of-seven affair pitting the teams that won their respective groups in the initial phase of the tournament.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals

Nambatac dropped 11 of his 14 points in the third that also helped TNT pull away after trailing 53-49 at the half to help beat the former team he faced in a playoff series for the first time.

The Tropang Giga also held the Elasto Painters to their second-lowest scoring output of the season-opening conference.

Game 2 is set Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum where TNT goes for a 2-0 lead over Rain or Shine.

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TNT, however, will have to wait on the status of veteran Kelly Williams, who went down with a calf injury early in the contest.

Import Aaron Fuller finished with 18 points and 21 rebounds in the defeat which came four days after Rain or Shine edged out Magnolia in Game 5 of the quarterfinals.

Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio were the other Elasto Painters in double figures with 14 and 13 points.