MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga moved to within a win from claiming the PBA Governors' Cup championship after beating Barangay Ginebra, 104-95, in Game 5 of their finals series on Wednesday night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.
The Tropang Giga roared back in the second half and stunned the Gin Kings, who lost Justin Brownlee late in the third quarter due to food poisoning.
Behind the brilliance of import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT went on a 32-18 third quarter to take an 81-79 lead.
Ginebra put up a gallant stand midway in the fourth quarter, but Hollis-Jefferson found Poy Erram open for the layup and stole the ball from Christian Standhardinger for the breakaway layup, sparking the game-deciding 8-0 run that brought the lead up to nine, 104-95, with 1:33 left.
Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga with a triple-double of 32 points, while Calvin Oftana added 20 points.
They can clinch the series in Game 6 on Friday night back at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Standhardinger led the Gin Kings with 29 points and 13 rebounds. Brownlee had a solid first half, tallying 14 points before he was rushed to the hospital. (PNA)
