The 1-2 punch of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Mikey Williams helped propel the TNT Tropang Giga to a 111-104 subduing of the Meralco Bolts on Friday in the Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
The 6’6” Hollis-Jefferson, a 28-year-old NBA veteran, struck with 34 points to go with 11 rebounds and nine assists, while Williams added 25 points for the Tropang Giga.
Jefferson’s output almost matched the numbers he produced during his debut game, where TNT cruised to a 138-116 won over Blackwater as he had 37 points on 14-of-23 field shooting, plus 13 rebounds and seven assists on his first game.
Williams, filling in for an injured Roger Pogoy, fired 10 points in the third period as TNT pulled away by 17 at the end of the third period, 86-69.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa said the absence of Pogoy led to Williams’ great game.
“I still have enough forces left in the bench. And Mike (Williams) was a big help,” said Lastimosa.
Calvin Oftana shot 19 points for the Tropang Giga, who picked up their seventh win in eight games.
Jayson Castro made 16 points for TNT, which also stormed to its fifth consecutive win.
Hollis-Jefferson strung up a 7-0 run in the last 9:44 of the second period, with Kib Montalbo and Glenn Khobuntin, and this saw TNT widening a 27-25 edge to 14 at halftime, 56-42.
TNT’s lead rose to 21 in the third quarter, off Williams’ driving layup, with 1:06 to go, 86-55.
The Scores:
TNT Tropang Giga 111 – Hollis-Jefferson 34, M.Williams 25, Oftana 19, Castro 16, Khobuntin 6, Pogoy 4, Montalbo 4, K.Williams 3, Varilla 0, Chua 0
Meralco Bolts 104 – McDaniels 26, Black 21, Newsome 20, Banchero 11, Maliksi 11, Hodge 6, Quinto 4, Caram 2, Almazan 2, Pascual 1, Jose 0
QUARTERS: 27-25, 56-42, 86-69, 111-104
