Third quarter surge propels TNT past Blackwater
TNT once again showcased their dominance in the third quarter, solidifying their position in the quarterfinals race and putting Blackwater on the edge of elimination.
Led by Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, the Tropang Giga secured a comfortable 105-96 victory against Blackwater in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
This triumph mirrored their impressive comeback against NLEX just a few days ago, highlighting TNT’s resilience and determination. With a 4-3 record, the Tropa are inching closer to the required six wins for a guaranteed spot in the quarterfinals.
However, their journey to secure that spot won’t be easy. TNT is set to face tough opponents in the upcoming matches, including San Miguel Beer on Sunday, an EASL team on the 20th, and Barangay Ginebra on Christmas Day.
Despite the challenging schedule, TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa expressed confidence in his team’s ability to handle the pressure. He acknowledged the difficulty of the upcoming stretch but remains optimistic about their chances.
“I think the guys, they’ve been in this situation before, in the championship series (of last season’s Governors’ Cup). We know how to play back-to-back games. So, this is nothing new.”
In the third period, the Tropa showcased exceptional performance on both offense and defense, positioning themselves for the upcoming games. Despite the initial signs of fatigue, they managed to overcome it and successfully extended their lead from 52-51 to a dominant 82-74 advantage.
“There was a conversation at halftime that our body language in the first half was that it was showing… that we were coming from a hard game the other night,” related Lastimosa.
“I didn’t want them to show that at the start of the third (quarter), even if they have to fake it. I don’t care, as long as we do not show that they’re tired. ‘Cause these guys are tired,” added Lastimosa.
Hollis-Jefferson spearheaded the attack, scoring an impressive 42 points, with 13 of them coming in crucial moments. TNT extended their lead to 19 points on two occasions, the last being at 94-75, and then comfortably maintained their advantage until the end.
In addition to his scoring prowess, Hollis-Jefferson also contributed 12 rebounds and eight assists. Jayson Castro, who had missed the previous game, made a strong comeback by adding 18 points and five assists.
On the other hand, Blackwater struggled throughout the game, shooting only 3-of-15 from the field and 11-of-20 from the free throw line in the third quarter. They also committed five turnovers during that period. As a result, they fell to a 1-7 record.
Despite the loss, Chris Ortiz had an outstanding performance for the Bossing, scoring 25 points and grabbing 20 rebounds. However, the team now faces the challenge of winning their remaining games against NLEX, NorthPort, and SMB if they want to have a chance of tying for a playoff spot.
