PBA: RHJ delivers, TNT nears Finals after escaping Rain or Shine

TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during a PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals game against Rain or Shine Elastopainters. –PBA IMAGES

TNT moved on the verge of advancing to the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals after edging out Rain or Shine, 81-79, Wednesday for a commanding 3-1 lead in their best-of-seven semis series at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s slam with 37 seconds proved to be the difference maker as the Tropang Giga turned the tables on the Elasto Painters after being on the losing end of a thrilling finish in Game 3 to move one win away from a return trip to the championship stage.

READ: PBA: RHJ gets the edge over Aaron Fuller in first showdown

Hollis-Jefferson also grabbed the decisive rebound after Gian Mamuyac missed a game-tying layup, beating Jhonard Clarito for possession.

The TNT import finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds, five assists, five steals and five blocks in another all-around performance.

Rey Nambatac added 15 points, 11 rebounds and four assists for TNT to close in on his first-ever Finals appearance at the expense of his former team.

READ: PBA: Aaron Fuller, Rain or Shine escape TNT to avoid 0-3 hole

The Tropang Giga, winners of the previous Governors’ Cup edition during the 2022-23 season, will have their first chance at finishing off the Elasto Painters Friday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Import Aaron Fuller had 22 points and 18 rebounds but Rain or Shine was pushed to a deficit few teams have overcome in league history.

Nambatac’s three with over a minute left put TNT ahead 79-76, but Santi Santillan scored a three-point play to put Rain or Shine back on level terms, time down to 45 seconds.

TNT inbounded the ball from the outside side of the court, and set up Hollis-Jefferson’s dunk that was almost an end-to-end situation.