By Peter Atencio
Rhondae Jefferson-Hollis banged in 42 points to go with eight rebounds, an assist, two blocks and a steal to power the TNT Tropang Giga to a 107-92 subduing of the Meralco Bolts in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinal series in the 2023 Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup at the Araneta Coliseum.
Jefferson-Hollis shot 13 points in the final quarter as he led the Tropang Giga to their second consecutive win, finishing the semis with a 3-1 slate and into their second Governors’ Cup finals appearance since 2010.
Two free throws with 33 ticks to go from Jefferson-Hollis allowed the Tropang Giga to finalize the count and their their biggest lead at 15.
Calvin Oftana shot 21 points for the Tropang Giga, who will now have another finals’ duel with the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings after seven years.
Mikey Williams shot 17 points for TNT, who will start their best-of-seven finals clash with the Gin Kings on Sunday.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa said the team’s poise in the final stretch of the game keyed the win.
“The players understood the situation that they needed to step up. And we know that somebody’s due (to step up) other than Mikey,” remarked Lastimosa.
