PBA: TNT win deals big blow to San Miguel playoff bid
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson during a game against San Miguel Beer in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines–TNT saw a chance to put a traditional powerhouse to the brink of missing the PBA Commissioner’s Cup playoffs on Sunday night and grabbed that opportunity by the neck.
The Tropang Giga whipped San Miguel black and blue, 115-97, at Ynares Center in Antipolo City, rising to 8-3 win-loss while dimming the Beermen’s chances of making the quarterfinals.
“What I’ve learned in life is you never really know what’s going to happen. Things are so unpredictable, the best you can do is give yourself a shot. And the significance of this win is we gave ourselves a shot,” head coach Chot Reyes said on the heels of the convincing win at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
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Resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had an all-around effort of 35 points, 21 rebounds, and 10 assists to lead TNT to the No. 2 spot with a game against Rain or Shine still left on the telco club’s schedule.
Roger Pogoy, Calvin Oftana, Poy Erram, and Jayson Castro all chipped in at least 14 points each in the triumph that put San Miguel, a proud franchise that has won the most titles in the PBA with 29 crowns, in a perilous spot.
The Beermen will now need Magnolia and NLEX to lose their respective final games in the eliminations to make it to the next round.
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Making things tougher for the vaunted club led by reigning Most Valuable Player June Mar Fajardo is that a win by either the Hotshots or the Road Warriors puts an abrupt end to their campaign.
Fajardo had 34 points and 13 rebounds. Don Trollano, import Malik Pope and Mo Tautua were the only other players to log double-digit scores in the loss that gave the club a 5-7 win-loss slate.
The last time San Miguel missed the playoffs was 10 years ago, during the 2015 edition of the same conference.
The Scores:
TNT 115 – Hollis-Jefferson 35, Pogoy 22, Oftana 16, Castro 14, Erram 14, Nambatac 6, Williams 6, Galinato 2, Heruela 0, Khobuntin 0, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0
SAN MIGUEL 97 – Fajardo 34, Trollano 13, Pope 10, Tautuaa 10, Lassiter 9, Perez 9, Cruz 6, Ross 3, Tiongson 3, Cahilig 0, Rosales 0
QUARTERS: 31-19, 56-49, 87-70, 115-97.
