TROPA DOMINATE KICKOFF

Banking on their stifling defense and torrid touch from deep, the Tropang Giga started hot and finished even hotter to blow out the Gin Kings, 104-88, and take early control of the series last night at the packed Ynares Center.

- By OLMIN LEYBA

From prolific import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson to old reliables RR Pogoy, Poy Erram and Jayson Castro to first-time finalist Rey Nambatac, the defending champions drew an array of heroes in hammering out the wire-to-wire triumph witnessed by a record crowd of 11,021 fans at this venue.

Hollis-Jefferson turned in 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and three blocks to show the way for coach Chot Reyes' troops, who will look to go 2-0 in Game 2 on Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

In a sparkling finals debut, Nambatac produced an impressive stat line of 18 points, including 12 in the fourth canto, 10 boards, seven dimes and two steals en route to Player of the Game honors.

Erram added 15 and Castro shot 14, making 12 in the third that helped TNT pull away anew to 72-62.