Returning reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made sure to announce his return in style, saving the day for TNT in its tight 101-95 escape against NorthPort on Tuesday in the PBA Governors’ Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The American import, who suited up for TNT in their championship run in Season 47 Governors’ Cup, fired a team-high 32 points on 40-percent shooting from the field. He also posted 10 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and four blocks for the defending champions.
Hollis-Jefferson showed up when it mattered most.
As the Batang Pier mounted a comeback fueled by Arvin Tolentino, the 29-year-old Hollis-Jefferson took matters into his own hands and scored on a dunk with 33 ticks left, 99-91.
Tolentino buried a massive four-pointer that pulled NorthPort back to within four points after trailing by as many as 10 points, 99-95, in the final 25 seconds.
The two squads exchanged turnovers before Joshua Munzon committed back-to-back fouls, with the last one sending Hollis-Jefferson to the charity stripe. The lefty reinforcement sank two free throws to seal the win for the Tropang Giga.
Calvin Oftana led the local support with 15 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one steal while Rey Nambatac, who played for Blackwater before he was traded to TNT last month, chipped in 13 markers, five boards, and four dimes in his first official game with his new team.
On the other end, Taylor Maurice Jones dropped a near triple-double in the loss, pouring in 36 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists, one steal, and one block while Tolentino tallied 23 markers, eight boards, and two steals.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
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