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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had another day in the office for TNT. PBA Images |
PASIG—TNT played as an early Christmas Grinch for NLEX's special night as they rallied in the second half to steal a 113-97 win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup meeting on Wednesday night at the PhilSports Arena.
On a night when both teams celebrated the legacy of Asi Taulava, the Tropang Giga, who brought the six-foot-nine behemoth to the pros, came alive in the final 24 minutes to spoil the show from the Road Warriors, who retired the now 50-year-old center's jersey.
Down 58-39 at halftime, TNT outscored NLEX, 74-39, in the second half to pull away and walk home with the win.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led TNT, which moved up to 3-3, with 33 points, 15 rebounds, six assists, two steals, and two blocks.
Calvin Oftana added 29 points, 19 in the third quarter where the Tropang Giga began their comeback, eight rebounds, four assists, and one steal.
Robbie Herndon led the Road Warriors, who fell for the fourth straight time and dropped to 2-6, with 25 points, nine rebounds, and five assists.
Stokley Chaffee was held to 15 points on 5-of-15 field goals, although he too had 17 rebounds, three assists, one block, and two steals.
Taulava played the first two minutes of what would be his farewell game after an unprecedented 24 seasons in the PBA and finished with one rebound.
Robert Bolick struggled in his PBA return and only tallied nine points on 2-for-8 shooting but also had one rebound and four assists off the bench.
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