PBA: TNT pounces on worn-down Meralco for 1-0 start in semifinals

TNT imported Rondae Hollis-Jefferson with another triple-double. – PBA PICTURES

ANTIPOLO CITY – TNT got another big performance from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and beat Meralco, 110-80, on Friday to draw first blood in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series here at the Ynares Center.

Hollis-Jefferson had 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists for her second straight triple-double as Tropang Giga won convincingly against a tired Bolts squad that was two days removed from eliminating the Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals.

But there were concerns after TNT’s victory after Hollis-Jefferson suffered a groin injury and Calvin Oftana suffered an ankle sprain during the lopsided affair.

Tropang Giga will be hoping everyone is at their best as they take a 2-0 lead in Game 2 on Sunday in the city.

RR Pogoy scored 21 points, Oftana had 15 points and nine rebounds while Mikey Williams had 14 points, three rebounds and five assists for TNT.

Meralco was never a threat after TNT took a 31-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.

Import KJ McDaniels topscored for Meralco, but was held to only 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting despite grabbing 14 rebounds.

Chris Newsome also had a night with just 10 points in 23 minutes after 33 against Magnolia in the quarter.

Score:

TNT 110 — Hollis-Jefferson 22, Pogoy 21, Oftana 15, Williams M. 14, Castro 12, Khobuntin 7, Tungcab 6, Montalbo 5, Chua 4, Erram 4, Acuno 0, Cruz 0, Wand 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas -Rosser

MERALCO 80 — McDaniels 12, Quinto 11, Newsome 10, Almazan 10, Hodge 9, Jose 9, Black 7, Dario 5, Johnson 3, Hugnatan 2, Maliksi 2, Banchero 0, Caram 0, Pasaol 0, Rios 0, Pascual 0 .

Quarter: 31-19, 57-45, 92-66, 111-80.

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