TNT's Jayson Castro in action. PBA Images

MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – TNT was the first to get on board in its semifinal series against Rain or Shine, 88-84, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup, Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.

The Tropang Giga pounced on the Elasto Painters' misplays, forcing them to commit turnovers down the stretch to secure Game 1 of the best-of-seven clash.

TNT reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson made one crucial play, stripping the ball from his counterpart Deon Thompson to force a turnover just when the Elasto Painters were trying to get back on track with 17 seconds left in regulation, while RR Pogoy stole the ball with 3.4 ticks as the Rain or Shine side hoped to sink a basket from the four-point line to tie the match from the 88-84 count.

Andrei Caracut inbounded the ball, but Pogoy was there to intercept the play off Rain or Shine's timeout.

But more than the endgame faults of Yeng Guiao's wards, the Tropang Giga, led by Jayson Castro, were firing on all cylinders from beyond the arc as they shot on a 14-of-34 clip.

Castro and Calvin Oftana had the hot hands — the veteran point guard had six treys and only missed one, while the Gilas Pilipinas forward also dropped six at the same range.

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When the dust settled, Castro top-scored for the winning team, nabbing 24 points to go with four steals and three assists — supplementing the 23-point output of Governors' Cup Best Import Hollis-Jefferson, who had, in his case, a relatively bad night.

Oftana was there as part of the supporting cast, breaching the 20-point mark with 22 and adding four boards and three dimes.

READ: PBA: TNT barges into Comm's Cup semis, takes out Eastern

"Rondae shot really poorly — he didn't even hit 30 percent of his field goals, so it was important that other guys step up," said coach Chot Reyes during the postgame press conference.

"They did a really good job defending Rondae, and when that happens, we have to be able to go to our counters," Reyes went on. "Jayson and Calvin were the ones who provided that firepower coming off the bench."

Elasto Painters' Thompson, meanwhile, had a team-high 29 points and 16 rebounds, but committed seven turnovers—one was made in a consequential stretch. Adrian Nocum also had a double-double of 18 markers and 11 boards.

The rival teams will face each other in Game 2 on Friday, February 28, at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City.

The Scores:

TNT 88 – Castro 24, Hollis-Jefferson 23, Oftana 22, Pogoy 9, Nambatac 4, Aurin 2, Erram 2, Williams 2, Khobuntin 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0

RAIN OR SHINE 84 – Thompson 29, Nocum 18, Datu 9, Santillan 6, Clarito 6, Mamuyac 4, Caracut 3, Tiongson 3, Lemetti 3, Asistio 3, Norwood 0

QUARTERS: 22-28, 51-47, 74-70, 88-84

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