Tropang Giga repel FiberXers for share of Group A lead

MANILA, Philippines -- The TNT Tropang Giga fended off a furious rally by the Converge FiberXers and pulled away late to win their third straight game in the PBA Governors’ Cup, 98-91, and grab a share of Group A lead Sunday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple-double to finish with 21 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds. Rey Nambatac added 17 markers and three boards.

After trailing by as much as 21 points, 39-60, the FiberXers were able to cut it down to single digits in the fourth quarter.

Trailing by 11, 67-78, entering the fourth quarter, Converge outscored TNT 24-15 to cut it to just two, 91-93, capped by a layup by Schonny Winston with 1:29 to go.

But Jayson Castro hit the biggest triple of the game off to push TNT's lead back to five, 96-91, with 1:09 remaining.

On the other end, the FiberXers committed a turnover courtesy of Alec Stockton.

In the next possession, Converge was able to clamp down on defense, forcing RR Pogoy to miss a triple, but Calvin Oftana tipped the ball back in but missed.

After a layup by Hollis-Jefferson missed, Oftana was able to clean up the mess and ice the game with a putback, 98-91.

Alex Cabagnot then missed a 4-point shot, securing TNT’s win.

“Siyempre as a veteran, yung trust ng mga teammates ko sa akin and especially Coach Chot na ibigay sa akin yung play na yun, kailangan kong gumawa ng paraan para makapag-execute kami,” Castro said.

“At the same time, isang way [ito] para ma-test ang character ng team kasi we were up by 16 and second half, nakahabol sila so magandang test para sa amin ito para pagdating ng playoffs, dadalhin namin ito,” he added.

Oftana and Castro had 14 markers apiece, while Pogoy finished with 12.

Justin Arana paced Converge with 16 markers and six boards.

Winston and Stockton each had 15 apiece, while import Scotty Hopson had 13 points, eight rebounds, five assists and two steals.

TNT rose to 5-1, tied with the Meralco Bolts. Converge dropped to 2-4.