PBA: RHJ fires 34 as TNT draws first blood vs Ginebra in Finals | ABS-CBN
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PBA: RHJ fires 34 as TNT draws first blood vs Ginebra in Finals
PBA: RHJ fires 34 as TNT draws first blood vs Ginebra in Finals
Kennedy Caacbay,
ABS-CBN News
Published Mar 14, 2025 09:58 PM PHT
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Updated Mar 15, 2025 12:34 AM PHT
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads TNT to a Game 1 win over Ginebra at the MOA Arena. PBA Images
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leads TNT to a Game 1 win over Ginebra at the MOA Arena. PBA ImagesMANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – TNT drew first blood against Ginebra, 95-89, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
MANILA, Philippines (UPDATED) – TNT drew first blood against Ginebra, 95-89, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals on Friday at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay City.
Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson showed the way for his team, stuffing the stat sheet with 34 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and a block to earn Player of the Game honors.
Tropang Giga reinforcement Rondae Hollis-Jefferson showed the way for his team, stuffing the stat sheet with 34 points, 13 rebounds, eight assists, one steal and a block to earn Player of the Game honors.
The Chot Reyes-coached squad led by as much as 16 points entering the halftime break, 55-39, and managed to keep the separation in their favor up until the final buzzer.
The Chot Reyes-coached squad led by as much as 16 points entering the halftime break, 55-39, and managed to keep the separation in their favor up until the final buzzer.
"Well, we talked about it at halftime, we said 'for sure, Ginebra is going to make a run. We just reminded the players to stay calm, to expect it,'" said Reyes.
"Well, we talked about it at halftime, we said 'for sure, Ginebra is going to make a run. We just reminded the players to stay calm, to expect it,'" said Reyes.
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They might have seen themselves leading only by four, 93-89, after an RJ Abarrientos four-point shot — the first conversion from the extended arc the entire game — with around five seconds left in regulation, but Hollis-Jefferson was there to put out the Ginebra fire.
They might have seen themselves leading only by four, 93-89, after an RJ Abarrientos four-point shot — the first conversion from the extended arc the entire game — with around five seconds left in regulation, but Hollis-Jefferson was there to put out the Ginebra fire.
"They [Gin Kings] made a big run, but we came back because the players kept their composure and I think that's the most important thing," Reyes also said.
"They [Gin Kings] made a big run, but we came back because the players kept their composure and I think that's the most important thing," Reyes also said.
The TNT import dealt the killing blow, completing a trip to the charity line to make it a two-possession game to seal the deal for the Game 1 win.
The TNT import dealt the killing blow, completing a trip to the charity line to make it a two-possession game to seal the deal for the Game 1 win.
RR Pogoy joined the supporting cast as he listed 15 points, while Calvin Oftana tallied 10 markers and nine rebounds and Rey Nambatac also had 10 to go with three assists.
RR Pogoy joined the supporting cast as he listed 15 points, while Calvin Oftana tallied 10 markers and nine rebounds and Rey Nambatac also had 10 to go with three assists.
Gin Kings' Justin Brownlee paced the losing side with a double-double of 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, while Scottie Thompson was also up there with 17 markers, 13 boards, and seven dimes.
Gin Kings' Justin Brownlee paced the losing side with a double-double of 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists, while Scottie Thompson was also up there with 17 markers, 13 boards, and seven dimes.
TNT goes for a 2-0 lead on Game 2, Sunday at the same Pasay venue. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
TNT goes for a 2-0 lead on Game 2, Sunday at the same Pasay venue. Tip-off is at 7:30 p.m.
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
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 0QUARTERS: 29-18, 55-39, 80-66, 95-89
GINEBRA 89 – Brownlee 28, Thompson 17, Abarrientos 13, Holt 9, J.Aguilar 9, Rosario 8, Gray 3, Malonzo 2, Ahanmisi 0QUARTERS: 29-18, 55-39, 80-66, 95-89
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