TNT made it two in a row over Rain or Shine and progressed in its title-retention bid in the PBA Governors' Cup with a 108-91 victory Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
With long bombs from Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac, the Tropang Giga unleashed a decisive 38-21 salvo in a sudden breakaway in the third period en route to a follow-up to their 90-81 victory in the opener of their best-of-seven semifinals showdown.
The Tropang Giga will be two-to-nil up and all revved-up as they tangle with an embattled Rain or Shine side in Game Three over in Dasmarinas, Cavite Sunday.
Oftana went 3-of-6 from beyond the arc while Nambatac came through with a 2-of-3 three-point shooting in the faithful third period where the Tropa cut loose from a slim 47-43 lead at the half.
Oftana totaled 13 points and Nambatac fired 11 in their third-quarter blitzkrieg, a telling one especially with the E-Painters committing seven turnovers.
Sponsored content:
Rain or Shine's answer on TNT's 5-of-11 three-point shooting was one conversion courtesy of Keith Datu.
The Tropang Giga connected from afar and once again threw a defensive net on the E-Painters, particularly on import Aaron Fuller whom they held to 13 points and six rebounds
With Fuller thrown out of his comfort zone, the Tropang Giga outrebounded the E-Painters, 51-49. And TNT battered ROS, 56-28, on points at the paint.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson once again led all scorers with 23 points and added eight rebounds, two assists and one steal against turnovers in a follow-up to his near triple-double job the last time.
Oftana finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds, Nambatac wound up with 17 while Kim Aurin contributed 11.
Sponsored content:
Jhonard Clarito top scored for the E-Painters with 18. (SB)
The Scores :
TNT 108 - Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 18, Nambatac 17, Aurin 11, Pogoy 8, Galinato 8, Erram 6, Khobuntin 6, Castro 5, Heruela 5, Payawal 1, Ebona 0, Varilla 0, Exciminiano 0.
RAIN OR SHINE 91 - Clarito 18, Fuller 13, Caracut 9, Lemetti 9, Belga 9, Norwood 9, Datu 8, Santillan 5, Nocum 3, Villegas 3, Mamuyac 3, Asistio 2, Ildefonso 0.
QUARTERS : 17-21, 47-44, 85-65, 108-91
