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| DeQuan Jones outplayed Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in a huge import battle. |
STA. ROSA, Laguna--NLEX heaved a sigh of relief in the end as TNT failed to steal Game 2 of the PBA Governors' Cup quarterfinals and conceded a 90-93 defeat on Friday night at the City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.
The Road Warriors survived as missed clutch free throws from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson doomed the Tropang Giga in crunch time.
"It's hard. That's why we play the game," said DeQuan Jones, who exploded for 38 points, 12 rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block but had to go toe-to-toe with the hardworking Hollis-Jefferson.
After an 87-all tie, a three-point play from Robert Bolick and two free throws from Jones put NLEX ahead, 92-87, with 24 seconds left.
Hollis-Jefferson tried a four-pointer in the next play only to miss the shot, but he grabbed his own botch and was fouled by Sean Anthony with 17 seconds remaining.
Hollis-Jefferson made the first free throw but missed the second, yet he still grabbed his own miss and found Jayson Castro open for the four-pointer only that Castro air-balled the long shot.
Hollis-Jefferson secured the offensive rebound, ran back outside the four-point line, and fished a foul from Javee Mocon while taking the four with 3.4 seconds left.
Hollis-Jefferson made his first two free throws but he missed the third, forcing him to intentionally miss the fourth for a chance at an offensive rebound.
However, he fouled Mocon while trying to grab the offensive rebound, and Mocon made his first charity before intentionally missing his second so TNT could not call a timeout.
Glenn Khobuntin was forced to take a desperation heave from way beyond halfcourt that never hit the target as time expired.
Robert Bolick added 16 points, three rebounds, and five assists for the Road Warriors, who forced a 1-1 deadlock against the Tropang Giga in their best-of-five series.
Hollis-Jefferson put up 22 points, 22 rebounds, five assists, four steals, and two blocks for TNT.
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