Rondae Hollis-Jefferson once more proved why he was named Best Import, steering TNT to a pivotal Game 5 victory towards Barangay Ginebra, 104-95, to maneuver on the verge of the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup title on Wednesday on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The Tropang Giga took a 3-2 lead and can now look to dethrone the Gin Kings come Game 6 on Sunday.
TNT noticed itself gazing a 15-point deficit on the finish of the primary half, however the wards of coach Jojo Lastimosa had been capable of get again within the recreation as they concluded the third body holding on to a slim 81-79 cushion.
Ginebra was dealt a significant blow when resident import Justin Brownlee grew to become unable to complete the second half attributable to an upset abdomen brought on by meals poisoning.
Still, Ginebra was capable of mount a rampage all due to Nards Pinto, who unleashed a private 8-0 run to maintain them inside only one level, 94-93, with 4:26 left to play.
But Hollis-Jefferson got here up large for the Tropang Giga, getting a defensive cease earlier than finishing a fastbreak layup for a 100-95 lead as Poy Erram cleaned up a miss from the American reinforcement to place the ending kick, 104-95.
Hollis-Jefferson tallied a triple-double outing of 32 factors, 16 rebounds, and 10 assists to go together with two steals and one block whereas Calvin Oftana chipped in 20 markers and eight boards.
Christian Standhardinger carried the load for Ginebra as he churned out with 29 factors, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists whereas Brownlee completed with 14 markers, 4 rebounds, one steal, and a block.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
