Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered a masterclass to lift TNT Tropang Giga to a masterful 105-96 win over Blackwater in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup yesterday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Hollis-Jefferson, the Best Import of the previous Governors’ Cup, erupted for 42 points, 12 rebounds and eight assists for the Tropang Giga, who dropped a 33-17 bomb in the third period to coast to their fourth win in seven matches.
By posting their second straight win, the Tropang Giga were able to atone for the back-to-back losses they suffered against Meralco, 95-109, last 26 November and NorthPort, 123-128, last 1 December. No less than his brother, Rahlir, was at the sideline to witness Hollis-Jefferson’s magical performance in which the Tropang Giga led by as many as 19 points to demoralize the Bossing and seal the victory.
The 32-year-old Rahlir is in town to replace Quincy Miller as Tropang Giga reinforcement when they face the Fubon Braves in the East Asia Super League on 20 December at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
“Our body language showed that we’re tired because we were coming off a game the other day,” TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said.
“But we told everyone at the locker room during the half not to show that we were tired and played with much energy.”
But for Lastimosa, his team’s current standing doesn’t put him in a position to feel more comfortable even though the Tropang Giga are now starting to put together another winning run.
“This is a bad stretch for us,” Lastimosa said.
“We’re going to be facing tough teams. We’ll be playing San Miguel on Sunday, then we’ll play in the EASL on the 20th and come back here to play against Ginebra on Christmas Day.”
Blackwater has now lost seven games in a row to sink to 1-7.
