MANILA, Philippines—From the opening tip to the ultimate buzzer, defending champion TNT leaned on import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in Recreation 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals towards rival Ginebra Sunday evening.
Hollis-Jefferson logged a game-high 45 minutes and 46 seconds, a heavy quantity of taking part in that would depart most huffing and puffing out of fatigue.
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However the former NBA veteran confirmed he’s constructed otherwise than most.
READ: PBA Finals: Brownlee, Ginebra wrestle vs TNT protection in Recreation 1
“I’ve to relaxation on the finish. I’m not apprehensive about it,” mentioned a beaming Hollis-Jefferson, who seemed like he may nonetheless play extra after their 104-88 win within the PBA Finals opener. “I’m nonetheless younger. I’m 29 and I understand how to care for my physique.”
Hollis-Jefferson completed with a double-double of 19 factors and 10 rebounds that went with 4 assists and three blocks.
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Hollis-Jefferson additionally performed a key position within the Tropang Giga’s very good defensive effort that restricted the Gin Kings’ high-octane offense beneath 90 factors on 39 p.c from the sphere.
“I believe for us for the reason that starting of the season, we’ve all the time been a defensive-first staff. That’s the place we take our pleasure from,” he mentioned.
“It simply so occurred that we had guys making pictures and the correct reads and issues simply fell into place for us.”
READ: PBA Finals: TNT rolls previous Ginebra in Recreation 1
Hollis-Jefferson led the way in which however he didn’t need to beat a formidable Ginebra aspect single-handedly.
TNT’s backcourt duo of Rey Nambatac and Jayson Castro additionally performed instrumental roles within the victory with 18 and 14 factors, respectively, whereas the Tropang Giga’s different dependable veterans Poy Erram and Roger Pogoy additionally stepped up.
Erram contributed 15 factors on 6-of-6 capturing from the sphere whereas Pogoy chipped in 12.
Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga don’t have any plans of slowing down as they shoot for a commanding 2-0 collection lead on Wednesday at Araneta Coliseum.
“I watched this one Kobe video the place he mentioned, ‘no relaxation within the center, relaxation ultimately,’” Hollis-Jefferson mentioned.