An undermanned TNT squad hit some well timed lengthy bombs to outlive a wild Barangay Ginebra comeback, 95-82, in Game 2 of their best-of-seven 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup finals sequence on Wednesday on the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Despite a restricted frontcourt rotation on account of absence of Justin Chua and Kelly Williams, the Tropang Giga have been nonetheless in a position to degree the sequence at one recreation apiece.
TNT led by as many as 16 midway within the second quarter, 41-25, earlier than the wards of Jojo Lastimosa ended the primary half having fun with a 51-39 unfold with import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson main the way in which.
But that margin proved short-lived because the Gin Kings dropped 25 factors within the third interval to chop their deficit to only three, 67-64, after Jamie Malonzo began catching hearth with 9 markers within the body alone. He continued waxing sizzling for the defending champions, burying two triples to make it an 80-77 drawback within the fourth.
TNT, although, had some solutions. RR Pogoy and Mikey Williams fired back-to-back three-pointers to ship the Tropang Giga to an 88-80 cushion with 3:48 left. Williams once more launched a protracted basket earlier than Hollis-Jefferson put the punctuation with a slam, 95-80.
Hollis-Jefferson confirmed the way in which as he got here near a triple-double with 23 factors, 19 rebounds, 9 assists, and two steals whereas Pogoy completed with 17 markers, seven boards, and three dimes.
Calvin Oftana stepped up with 14 factors off the bench alongside 13 rebounds and two steals.
The groups will look to take a 2-1 sequence lead come Game Three on Friday.
—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News
Source: www.gmanetwork.com
