MANILA, Philippines – TNT survived the battle even without two of its finest soldiers down the stretch.
The Tropang Giga overcame the exits of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Jayson Castro, hacking out a 93-91 win over Rain or Shine in Game 2 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at the PhilSports Arena on Friday, February 28.
Hollis-Jefferson still finished with 28 points, 10 rebounds, 2 blocks, and 2 steals despite fouling out with over five minutes remaining as TNT escaped with a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven affair.
Without Hollis-Jefferson, the Tropang Giga frittered away a double-digit deficit — his absence compounded by the departure of Castro with three minutes to play after an apparent knee injury.
Castro backstopped Hollis-Jefferson with 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists before he got hurt after a layup attempt and needed to be stretchered out of the venue on the way to the hospital.
Shorthanded, TNT went scoreless in the last 6:22 minutes since it mounted a 93-80 lead as Rain or Shine unleashed an 11-0 run to creep within a single possession, but the Tropang Giga relied on their defense to pull through.
One of the best defensive teams in the league, TNT prevented the Elasto Painters from scoring in the final 2:30 minutes, with Rain or Shine missing its last five field goals.
The Elasto Painters earned one last chance at either overtime or the win after forcing a five-second violation on Tropang Giga guard Roger Pogoy, but Adrian Nocum missed the game-tying jump shot from the baseline.
Poy Erram delivered 11 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 blocks, while Pogoy and Kim Aurin chimed in 10 points apiece.
Import Deon Thompson put up a 22-point, 14-rebound double-double for Rain or Shine, which has lost four straight playoff games to TNT.
The Scores
TNT 93 – Hollis-Jefferson 28, Castro 13, Erram 11, Pogoy 10, Aurin 10, Williams 8, Oftana 7, Nambatac 3, Khobuntin 3.
Rain or Shine 91 – Thompson 22, Nocum 19, Mamuyac 11, Tiongson 10, Clarito 9, Caracut 7, Datu 7, Santillan 6, Asistio 0, Belga 0.
Quarters: 24-24, 54-44, 81-75, 93-91.
– Rappler.com