PBA: TNT delivers 55-point beating to Macau in RHJ's return

Calvin Oftana stepped up for TNT in Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's comeback game. PBA Images

By Ivan Saldajeno

MANILA—Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had more than just a triumphant return as TNT walloped Macau by 55 points 142-87 in their PBA Governors' Cup duel on Tuesday night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

While Hollis-Jefferson showed some signs that he was still not at full strength in his first game back from undergoing rehabilitation from his torn Achilles tendon, the locals stepped up for the Tropang 5G as they pulled away in the last three quarters to add more misery to the also-ran Giant Pandas.

The fans even entertained the thought of TNT going for the new PBA record for the biggest winning margin when it extended its lead to 61 points 132-71 with 4:35 remaining.

However, six straight points from Oscar Lopez somehow helped deny the Tropang 5G from giving the Giant Pandas another historic bad beat following a 60-point defeat to the NLEX Road Warriors last week.

Calvin Oftana led TNT, which moved up to 7-4, with 28 points on 11 of 14 shooting, including 5-for-7 on threes, five rebounds, one assist, and one steal.

Hollis-Jefferson added 22 points, six rebounds, five assists, and two steals, while Jio Jalalon, Jordan Heading, and Henry Galinato each contributed 11 markers.

Jalalon completed a triple-double with 13 rebounds and 11 assists, while Heading had his own double-double with 11 boards.

Lopez led Macau with 43 points, 10 rebounds, and three steals, but he too had eight turnovers as the team lost its last five games to drop to 2-9.