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| Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered a masterful all-around game for TNT. PBA Images |
PASAY—TNT showed that it could remain championship caliber without its longtime leader as it ripped Ginebra, 95-89, in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner's Cup Finals on Friday night at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Tagged by many as underdogs due to Jayson Castro's season-ending knee injury, the Tropang Giga still looked sharp even without him, racing to a 55-39 halftime lead with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson dominating inside and the locals, especially RR Pogoy, waxing hot from three-point range.
The Gin Kings tried to make things interesting in the second half, cutting the lead down to four, but Hollis-Jefferson hit two free throws that iced the game with 2.2 seconds left.
Hollis-Jefferson finished with 34 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal, and one block for TNT, which gained a headstart in the best-of-seven series.
Pogoy added 15 points, all on triples, two rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block.
Justin Brownlee led Ginebra with 28 points, 14 rebounds, and five assists, while Scottie Thompson added 17 points, 13 rebounds, and seven assists.
The Scores:
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, Pogoy 15, Oftana 10, Nambatac 10, Williams 8, Khobuntin 8, Erram 5, Aurin 5, Heruela 0, Razon 0
GINEBRA 89 – Brownlee 28, Thompson 17, Abarrientos 13, Holt 9, J. Aguilar 9, Rosario 8, Gray 3, Malonzo 2, Ahanmisi 0
QUARTERS: 29-18, 55-39, 80-66, 95-89
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