EQUALIZER. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson soars for the dunk in Game 2 of the PBA Governor’s Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City on Wednesday night (April 12, 2023). Jefferson finished with 23 points and 19 rebounds as TNT defeated Ginebra, 95-82, to tie the title series. (Photo courtesy of PBA Images)
MANILA – TNT equalized in the PBA Governors' Cup finals after drubbing Ginebra, 95-82, in Game 2 on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Tropang Giga eventually sustained a solid start after bouncing back in the fourth quarter after the Gin Kings made the game interesting in the third.
TNT came alive early on and opened a 27-16 advantage against Ginebra after the first quarter en route to a 51-39 lead at halftime.
The Gin Kings slowed the Tropang Giga down in the third period and cut the lead down to just three, 69-66, entering the fourth.
TNT, though, pulled away for good in the final frame as their offense got going again.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a rare 20-20 triple-double as he finished with 23 points, 19 rebounds, and nine assists with two assists for the Tropang Giga.
Mikey Williams added 21 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal, while Calvin Oftana chipped in 14 points, 13 rebounds and two steals.
Christian Standhardinger led the Gin Kings with 29 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and one steal, while Scottie Thompson had 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and one steal.
Justin Brownlee was held to only 12 points on 3-for-16 shooting, but he still came close to a triple-double with 10 rebounds and eight assists with two blocks.
Both teams will break the 1-all deadlock on Friday night back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum when they meet again in Game 3.
The Scores:
TNT 95 – Hollis-Jefferson 23, M.Williams 21, Pogoy 17, Oftana 14, Khobuntin 8, Castro 8, Erram 4, Montalbo 0, Marcelo 0, Ganuelas-Rosser 0
GINEBRA 82 – Standhardinger 29, Malonzo 17, Thompson 16, Brownlee 12, Pringle 5, Gray 3, Pinto 0, David 0, Mariano 0
QUARTERS: 27-16, 51-39, 67-64, 95-82 (PNA)
