TNT Tropang Giga star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.

Romwel Anzures

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1736258889050IMG_5995.jpeg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="TNT Tropang Giga star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images."/>TNT Tropang Giga star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action against the Meralco Bolts in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup. Photo from PBA Images.MANILA — TNT Tropang GIGA is on a roll in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, with their latest victory coming via a cardiac finish.</div>Chot Reyes and his troops avoided a 23-point collapse against the Meralco Bolts in their 101-99 triumph on Tuesday at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City for their third straight win after a winless start.Rondae Hollis Jefferson paced the Tropang GIGA with 24 points — two of which came as game-winning free throws — as well as 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks.“They led, and they grabbed the lead from us, but we expected it. When we were up by 20, we knew that Meralco could still come back,” said Reyes after the game.Helping TNT in securing the win despite this were Calvin Oftana and Rey Nambatac as the pair of former NCAA stars posted 24 points and for rebounds, and 16 markers, six boards, four assists, and three steals, respectively.TNT sat on a 44-21 cushion, and was able to maintain it to 19 in the third period, but Luigi Trillo, Nenad Vucinic, and the Bolts refused to just end the game without a fight.They were able to tie the game in the fourth period and even take the lead briefly as Chris Newsome fired three of his eight points in that frame at the 1:53 mark to give his team a 97-94 lead.Hollis-Jefferson quickly answered with his own triple to tie the game 14 seconds later, and he also made a crucial basket in their next possession for a 99-97 lead.A Chris Banchero floater quickly tied the game at 99 with only 59 ticks left, but unfortunately for Meralco, Akil Mitchell committed a crucial foul with only 10 seconds left on RHJ as they were already above the limit.The two-time PBA Champion reinforcement made both of his shots at the foul line for a 101-99 advantage, while the Bolts, for their part, settled for a Cliff Hodge three-point attempt as Newsome was not able to make a shot for himself.Hodge’s trey hit the iron, and this paved the way for TNT to improve to above .500, 3-2.“The key to their run was our turnovers, and that allowed them to get their offense on track. In the end, we were able to settle down and not panic. The players made big plays,” explained Reyes on the composure that his team saw in the endgame.On the other hand, Meralco, which fell to 4-3 in the team standings, was led by Mitchell’s 24 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, and three steals.Newsome backstopped him with 19 markers and eight dimes, while Banchero and Quinto followed with 14 and 12, respectively.<div>The Scores:</div>TNT 101 – Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Galinato 5, Aurin 5, Khobuntin 3, Razon 0, Varilla 0.Meralco 99 – Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Bates 4, Almazan 4, Cansino 3, Caram 0.Quarterscores:  27-17, 52-35, 79-68, 101-99.

TNT Tropang GIGA is on a roll in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, with their latest victory coming in a cardiac finish.

TNT Tropang GIGA is on a roll in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, with their latest victory coming in a cardiac finish.

PBA: Tropang GIGA avoids collapse, slips past Bolts in cardiac finish | ABS-CBN

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PBA: Tropang GIGA avoids collapse, slips past Bolts in cardiac finish

PBA: Tropang GIGA avoids collapse, slips past Bolts in cardiac finish

Rom Anzures,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jan 07, 2025 10:15 PM PHT

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