By Peter Atencio
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came up with the numbers that allowed the TNT Tropang Giga to sustain their momentum in the ongoing 49th Philippine Basketball Association Governors’ Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.
In Game 2, Hollis-Jefferson played above his averages of 28 points and 11.5 rebounds during TNT’s 96-84 victory over the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Gin Kings.
His big effort helped the Tropang Giga take the 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven championship series with the Gin Kings.
The 6’6” Hollis-Jefferson struck with a career high six triples and came up with a conferencehigh 37-point, to go with 13 rebounds and seven assists in the playing for four quarters.
Earlier, Hollis-Jefferson saw limited time in Game 1, before he played from start to finish this time around.
He credits his confidence in hitting big triples from his experience while against the Tim Cone-mentored Gilas Pilipinas during the 2023 Asian Games.
“In the Asian Games, they forced me to shoot a lot of threes, and they (Gilas) beat us for the gold medal game. We talked about that, and I just shifted my mindset,” stated Hollis-Jefferson.
On Wednesday night, Tropang Giga, which also got 13 points apiece from Calvin Oftana and Glenn Khobuntin, widened a 72-71 edge to eight off Hollis-Jefferson’s three-point play in the final 10:28, 81-73.
“Credit to the players. They really are patient in moving the ball, and finding the open man,” said Reyes, as the Tropang Giga sank 14 triples and sustained the momentum they gained with their 104-88 triumph in Game 1.
Reyes believes that when they engage the Gin Kings in Game 3 on Friday, their ability to hit their outside shots will depend on the flow of their offense, and how Ginebra will adjust to their game play.
“Of the three-point shots, very few came in from the transition or the first pass. Most of them, were within the flow of the offense, and just making sure that we are working patiently, and finding the best open shot,” added Reyes.
