PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson explodes in clincher as TNT ousts ROS

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson caught fire to send TNT back to the finals. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA--Behind a stand-out performance from Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT booked the first seat in the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals after eliminating Rain Or Shine in the semifinals with a 97-92 Game 5 win on Friday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

Hollis-Jefferson carried the fight for the Tropang Giga as he fired 42 points on 15-of-26 shooting with 11 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks.

The PLDT franchise took flight late in the second half, crawling back from 12 points down early in the third quarter before erupting for 31 points in the fourth quarter.

The Elasto Painters still had one last gasp after Adrian Nocum hit a four-pointer to cut the lead down to a single possession, but Hollis-Jefferson split his free throws to essentially ice the game.

Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac each added 12 points with Oftana also grabbing 12 rebounds for TNT, which will await the winner of the other semifinal series between Ginebra and NorthPort.

Deon Thompson ended his Rain or Shine stint for the mid-season conference with 34 points, six rebounds, one assist, and three blocks.

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