Behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's 42-point blast, TNT sends retooled Blackwater to bottom of PBA Comm's Cup standings

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues to put an explosion for TNT. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Not even the arrival of MPBL finalists James Kwekuteye and Archie Concepcion could help Blackwater break out of their slump as TNT sent them crashing to the PBA Commissioner's Cup standings with a 105-96 win on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tropang Giga pulled away in the third quarter as they outscored the Bossing, 33-17, to open an 85-68 lead entering the final period.

Blackwater tried to come back and eventually cut the lead down to nine, but the team went scoreless the rest of the way.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson prevailed over Chris Ortiz in the battle of former FIBA World Cup players as the Jordanian naturalized player led the now 4-3 Tropang Giga with 42 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, two steals, and one block.

Jayson Castro added 18 points, three rebounds, and five assists off the bench.

Ortiz, the Puerto Rico international, led the Bossing, who dropped to 1-7, with 25 points, 20 rebounds, and four assists.

Kwekuteye fired 10 points, while Concepcion had two in their PBA debuts fresh from facing off in the MPBL National Finals.

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