PBA: TNT rides on hot Q3 to whip Meralco

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson outplayed Allen Durham in the battle between longtime imports of MVP Group teams. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--TNT banked on a sizzling third quarter to take down Meralco, 93-73, in their PBA Governors' Cup meeting on Thursday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

After a tight first half, the Tropang Giga pulled away in the third period by outscoring the Bolts, 31-16, to open a 70-57 lead entering the fourth.

TNT sealed the win by outscoring Meralco once more, 23-16, in the fourth.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson once again came close to a 5x5, finishing with 25 points, 12 rebounds, eight assists, three steals, and three blocks for TNT, now 2-0 in Group A play.

Rey Nambatac added 16 points, seven rebounds, and one assist.

Chris Banchero put up 18 points, three rebounds, and four assists for Meralco, which fell to 1-1.

Banchero, the first player ever to make a shot from the new four-point range, once again hit one from 27 feet long, making him the first to do so in multiple games.

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