Tropang Giga rout Painters to mount 2-0 series lead

MANILA, Philippines -- Two for TNT.

The TNT Tropang Giga are now up 2-0 in the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals after pulling away in the second half against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters, 108-91, Friday evening at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The defending champions are now two wins away from returning to the PBA Finals.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson led all scorers with 23 points and eight rebounds, while Calvin Oftana had a huge double-double of 18 markers and 14 boards.

The two teams were held in a close game at the middle point of the third quarter, with Rain or Shine trailing by five, 57-62, after an Andrei Caracut jumper.

TNT then strung together a 15-3 blitz capped by an Oftana triple to go up by a commanding 17 points, 77-60.

Free throws by Adrian Nocum cut the lead to 14, 63-77, but TNT erupted with a 14-2 run that bridged to the fourth quarter to grab their biggest lead of the game, 91-65.

This was enough separation to breeze through to the final buzzer, as Rain or Shine were unable to creep closer than the 17 point spread in the final score.

“There’s nothing special that we’re trying to do in particular. We just make it a point to start the second half of each game that we play with renewed determination on defense. I think if we’re able to make stops, it really fuels our offense,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes said.

Rey Nambatac produced another solid game for the Tropang Giga, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Kim Aurin added 11.

Clarito led Rain or Shine with 18 points and seven rebounds. Aaron Fuller chipped in 13, as the two were the only ones in double digit scoring.

Andrei Caracut, Felix Lemetti, Beau Belga and Gabe Norwood each had nine apiece.

Game 3 of the series will be on Sunday, 7:30 p.m., in Dasmarinas, Cavite.