PBA: TNT stifles Converge late to score huge win in late dash to Top 2

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was clutch again for TNT. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—TNT struck down Converge in the final four minutes to take a 98-96 win in their PBA Commissioner's Cup game on Saturday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Tropang Giga held the FiberXers scoreless after conceding a Cheick Diallo layup with 4:14 to go and went on a 7-0 run capped by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's go-ahead basket with 1:07 to go.

Hollis-Jefferson could not close out the game for TNT as he missed a tough layup attempt against Converge's defense, but he and his teammates responded by forcing their opponent to a shotclock violation, leaving them with only 9.5 seconds to milk.

The Tropang Giga nearly committed an inbound violation as their offensive stack collapsed, but Jayson Castro, upon receiving the ball just in time, successfully evaded every FiberXers' attempt to foul him and the PLDT franchise ran out the clock.

Hollis-Jefferson led TNT, which moved up to fifth place at 4-2, one game behind Rain Or Shine, which will play Phoenix later Saturday, for second place, with 31 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals, and one block.

RR Pogoy added 22 points, five rebounds, one assist, and two steals.

Diallo led Converge, whose own bid to finish the eliminations at the Top 2 hit a snag as they fell to a tie with Hong Kong Eastern for third place at 6-3, with 37 points, 15 rebounds, one assist, and two blocks.

The Scores:

TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 31, Pogoy 22, Nambatac 13, Oftana 12, Khobuntin 8, K.Williams 4, Aurin 3, Erram 3, Castro 2, Razon 0, Exciminiano 0, Galinato 0

CONVERGE 96 – Diallo 37, Baltazar 17, Heading 12, Winston 11, Arana 9, Stockton 7, Racal 3, Santos 0, Delos Santos 0, Andrade 0, Nieto 0, Javillonar 0

QUARTERS: 27-27, 46-44, 77-79, 98-96

Follow him on X: @IvanSaldajeno