TNT STRIKES AT ENDGAME

NLEX, the lowest-ranked quarterfinalist from Group B, backed TNT, the No. 1 qualifier from Group A, to a corner for a good part of the first 28 minutes of action.

- JOEY VILLAR

But with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as spark, the Tropang Giga fought their way out of it and wrested a 107-102 opening victory in their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinal series last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

After a quiet 11 points in first-half action dominated by the Road Warriors, HollisJefferson dialed it up and unloaded 17 markers in each of the last two quarters to power the defending champions in their successful fightback from 13 points down for the head start in the race-to-three.

RHJ laced his 45 total production with 10 rebounds, seven assists and three steals in his return game after sitting out TNT’s ending assignment in Group A with ankle issues.