PBA: TNT whips NLEX, inches closer to semis

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–PBA IMAGES

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals

MANILA, Philippines–TNT played full throttle all of Sunday night to flatten the wheels of NLEX, 109-91, and move within sniffing range of a semifinals berth in the PBA Governors’ Cup.

Defending champion Tropang Giga got going early behind their starters and drew a commendable outing from their role players, particularly Glenn Khobuntin, to triumph at the refurbished Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

“All of our discussion yesterday at practice was just how to continue to make some slight adjustments with our defense and then counter the adjustments they made in Game 2 … So we made sure our players were aware and they did a good job responding and where the they could get their shots. I think that was the key tonight, said head coach Chot Reyes, whose Tropang Giga took a 2-1 lead in the quarterfinals series.

READ: PBA: NLEX survives TNT rally this time, knots quarters series

“For any team in this league to win by a big margin, it has to be a combination of good defense and good offense. Finally tonight we were able to get both—together,” he went on.

Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had 27 points and 12 rebounds, while Khobuntin, Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac added at least 17 points each in the effort against their corporate siblings.

NLEX got the goods from Robbie Herndon who finished with 17 points, while import DeQuan Jones finished with 16 points spoked with 10 rebounds as the club dropped into a precarious spot, their conference now in peril.

The Tropang Giga, who led by as many as 26, can put the series to bed on Tuesday night at Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Malate, Manila.