THE TNT Tropang Giga took control of the boards in the last three minutes, and fended off the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings, 95-82, on Wednesday night in Game 2 of the 2022-2023 Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Governor’s Cup Best of Seven finals at the Araneta Coliseum.
Rhondae Hollis-Jefferson and Michael Williams imposed their presence at the endgame as the Tropang Giga equalized the series at 1-all.
The two figured prominently in the final moments of the fourth period, with Williams unloading two triples and Hollis-Jefferson coming up with a decisive putback to give the Tropang Giga a 15-point cushion in the final 1:12, 95-80.
They took over moments after the Gin Kings rallied for the last time, coming close to within five points off Christian Standhardinger’s driving layup, 80-85, with 4:15 to go.
“They refused to lose. The players knew that going into this game. They cannot fall behind, and they know that,” said Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa, after they rebounded from a 90-102 setback in Game 1.
The Tropang Giga, boosted by Hollis-Jefferson’s 23 points and 19 rebounds, nine assists, and two steals, will seek to move ahead of the Gin Kings when they meet in Game 3 on Friday.
With Hollis-Jefferson being held to just six points in the final period, Williams took over by shooting eight of his 21-point rally in the final canto, with his fadeaway shot in the last 6:38 keeping the Tropang Giga, up ahead by five 82-77.
The Tropang Giga stunned the Gin Kings when they quickly move ahead in the first period, 27-16, following an 11-3 run that shattered a three-all tie, and the Manny Pangilinan franchise went on to take a 27-16 edge, with Hollis-Jefferson, Williams and Calvin Oftana combining for 19 points.
Williams shot seven points in the period, backing Hollis-Jefferson who had six, and with the latter putting TNT ahead by 13 at halftime, 51-39, off his two charities.
This is the second time this Conference that Brgy. Ginebra has been held to under 40 points in the first half.b
The last time it happened, the Gin Kings trailed Magnolia, 59-37, as they stumbled to their worst loss in three seasons, 88-118.