PBA: TNT pulls away to beat Rain or Shine for 2-0 semis lead

TNT import Rondae Hollis Jefferson against Rain or Shine defenders during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–TNT used a fiery third quarter on Friday night to take down Rain or Shine, 108-91, and seize a 2-0 lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals.

Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac combined for 24 points in that pull-away, which pretty much took the fight out of the Elasto Painters at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals

“Being up 2-0? It’s nice. But it takes four to get to the next stage,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.

“Our entire discussion right now is to just continue to try to figure out what adjustments (Rain or Shine) would make for the next game, and as I’ve said, keep putting our foot on the pedal,” he added.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson fired 23 points and eight rebounds to show the way for the defending champions. Oftana finished with 18 on top of a career-best-tying 14 rebounds, while Nambatac had 17 and six in the triumph that put them halfway through a potential sweep of the Group B leader Rain or Shine.

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Jhonard Clarito had 18 points and seven rebounds, while do-it-all import Aaron Fuller was limited to just 13 and six as the ElastoPainters struggled most of the night, even finding themselves in holes as big as 26 points.

TNT can take control of the best-of-seven series this Sunday in Dasmariñas, Cavite.

The scores:

TNT (108) — Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 18, Nambatac 17, Aurin 11, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8,

Erram 6, Khobuntin 6, Castro 5, Heruela 5, Payawal 1, Ebona 0, Varilla 0, Exciminiano 0.

Rain or Shine (91) — Clarito 18, Fuller 13, Caracut 9, Lemetti 9, Belga 9, Norwood 9, Datu

8, Santillan 5, Nocum 3, Villegas 3, Mamuyac 3, Asistio 2, Ildefonso 0.

Quarterscores: 17-21; 47-44; 85-65; 108-91.