PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson scores clutch charities as TNT escapes Meralco

Calvin Oftana paced TNT in a huge win against Meralco. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Rondae Hollis-Jefferson hit two clutch free throws to lead TNT to a 101-99 win against Meralco in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Tuesday night at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig.

Known to be inconsistent from the foul line, Hollis-Jefferson capped his late takeover by going 2-for-2 off an Akil Mitchell foul with 10 seconds left.

The hardworking wingman made possible the Tropang Giga's last seven points within the final 1:39 of the game, assisting on an RR Pogoy three that tied the match at 97-all before scoring a go-ahead layup with 1:11 to go for a 99-97 count.

Chris Banchero tied the game up at 99-all with 59 seconds to play, but the Bolts could not reclaim the lead from there.

Off Mitchell's miss, he fouled Hollis-Jefferson while looking to take the ball back, leading to the latter's winning free throws.

With the defense tight on Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge was forced to take a three-pointer that he missed, and Calvin Oftana preserved TNT's win by grabbing the rebound.

Hollis-Jefferson and Oftana each had 24 points with the former also grabbing 13 rebounds for the Tropang Giga, who moved up to sixth place at 3-2.

Mitchell also had 24 points alongside 18 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals for the Bolts, who fell to seventh place at 4-3.

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