PBA Finals: RHJ masterclass propels TNT to 2-0 lead vs Ginebra
TNT Tropang Giga import Rondae Hollis Jefferson during the PBA Finals Game 2 against Barangay Ginebra. –PBA IMAGES
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered another massive performance with 37 points as TNT repeated over Barangay Ginebra, 96-84, Wednesday for a 2-0 lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hollis-Jefferson highlighted his big offensive production by knocking down six triples, the most in his PBA career, while adding 13 rebounds and seven assists as the Tropang Giga moved two wins away from repeating as champions of the conference they’ve won in 2023.
Article continues after this advertisementRESULTS: PBA Finals Ginebra vs TNT Game 2 October 30
He was also key once more in TNT’s defensive stand by limiting Ginebra to a 35-percent shooting even as it knocked down 14 threes, some of which came in timely manner in the second half.
TNT import Rondae-Hollis Jefferson and coach Chot Reyes after going up 2-0 in the #PBAFinals. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/AwLEeU1pfg
— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) October 30, 2024
Calvin Oftana and Glenn Khobuntin added 13 points apiece even as veteran Jayson Castro turned in another integral showing of nine points and seven assists.
TNT guns for a commanding 3-0 lead on Friday, All Saints Day, at the same venue.
READ: PBA Finals: Motivation? Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has a lot of it
Justin Brownlee had 19 points but shot 7-of-17 from the field as Ginebra will look for ways to resolve its inconsistent offense that has marred the crowd favorites’ showing in the title series.
Scottie Thompson scored 18 while Stephen Holt and Japeth Aguilar combined for 6-of-20 despite 11 points apiece.
Rookie RJ Abarrientos scored seven points but was 1-of-8 from the field.
Ginebra raced to a 21-11 lead in the first quarter as it made a role reversal to TNT’s hot start in Game 1 that led to the latter’s 104-88 triumph at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
But TNT, led by Hollis-Jefferson, slowly came back and eventually forced Ginebra to clank its shots while making theirs to take the lead, 49-41, at the break.
TNT also shook off Ginebra’s rally in the third with the long ball once more, quickly erasing a 57-51 deficit and never looked back.
