Tropa rip Dyip on late surge

MANILA, Philippines —  Reigning champion TNT Tropang Giga turned it up late to beat Terrafirma, 107-89, and regain a piece of Group A lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup last night at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The Tropang Giga didn’t pull away until the payoff period, where they limited the winless but pesky Dyip to two points in the early goings to finally take command and go on to win the game and tie Meralco at 4-1.

TNT scored its second straight win at the end of the first round following an 88-82 triumph over Magnolia. The Tropa now head to a rematch with the Converge FiberXers (2-3), the team that handed their lone defeat thus far.

Nursing an ankle injury and all, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple-double of 26 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists as he held the fort with Calvin Oftana sitting out the match with a minor injury suffered against the Hotshots last time.

Backstopping Hollis-Jefferson were five players in double digits led by Roger Pogoy and Poy Erram with 14 points each.

Defense was also a big key.

“We just have to rely on our ability to make stops and defend. We couldn’t stop Terrafirma in the first half and fortunately, we limited them in the second half. We knew they’re gonna come out strong,” said TNT coach Chot Reyes.