Focus falls on defense

MANILA, Philippines — As Game 3 wound down, one could notice TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still going hard at it, furiously fighting for possession and attacking Barangay Ginebra’s net.

The All Saints’ Day tussle was essentially beyond reach at that point and the Gin Kings were well on their way to cutting the Tropang Giga’s lead in the PBA Governors’ Cup finals to 2-1.

But Hollis-Jefferson got his message sent.

It was received not only by his TNT teammates, who take a second crack at win No. 3 and move closer to a title repeat in tonight’s Game 4 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, but also by the crowd darlings, who shoot for a 2-2 deadlock.

“We have to play better on Sunday because we›re going to see a better TNT team,” said veteran playmaker LA Tenorio, who helped set the tone for the Gin Kings in Friday’s lifesaving 85-73 win when he was deployed as a starter for the first time in the finals.

“Nakita niyo naman kanina si RHJ, patapos na ‘yung game dire-diretso pa rin, ayaw tumigil. It’s a sign. Ako ang tingin ko, pinakita niya sa mga teammates sa TNT, next game be ready. And we have to be ready also,” added Tenorio.

The Gin Kings borrowed a page from TNT’s defensive playbook in finally getting one on the board. After the defending champions thoroughly dominated Games 1 and 2, 104-88 and 96-84, Justin Brownlee and Co. shifted into making stops and held the Tropang Giga to their second-lowest scoring output of the conference.

“It’s the finals and I think it’s going to be won on the defensive end. At least that’s what it’s proven to be the past three games,” said Brownlee who made key defensive stops and a clutch basket to key Ginebra’s fourth-quarter pull-away in Game 3.

“TNT, they’ve been playing incredible defense. We’re going to have to either match them or be better. In Game 3, we definitely tried to emphasize defense and we did a great job all around the board.”

Hollis-Jefferson, whom Ginebra coach Tim Cone described as an “elite defender,” said it’s TNT’s turn to adjust in the 7:35 p.m. fourth match that follows the awarding rites for the Best Import and Best Player of the Conference.

“I think Tim (Cone) drew up a really good game plan, gave some other guys some tries, a veteran at that,” said Hollis-Jefferson.

NOTES: The PBA honors its top performers in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup tonight with San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo poised for a new record and TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee carrying their finals rivalry over to the Best Import derby. The short awarding is slated at 7:30 p.m. before the respective teams of RHJ and JB mix it up for Game 4. Fajardo made a case for his 11th Best Player of the Conference award after showing the way in the statistical race with 44.8 average statistical points. Challenging the “Kraken” for the premier individual award are NorthPort’s Arvin Tolentino (37.5 SPs), NLEX’ Robert Bolick (35.9), SMB teammate Cjay Perez (33.9) and Ginebra duo Japeth Aguilar and Scottie Thompson, both with 32.2.

If he gets sufficient votes from fellow players and media, then there’s no stopping JMF from copping the BPC despite SMB’s elimination in the semifinal stage. The last BPC winner whose team didn’t make the finals was Christian Standhardinger in the 2019 Governors’ Cup while with NorthPort, which got stuck in the semis then.

Meanwhile, Hollis-Jefferson shoots his second Bobby Parks plum in this side battle with Brownlee.

RHJ logged 57.4 SPs in the stats race with Brownlee trailing at 50.9. EJ Anosike of SMB (44.6) and Aaron Fuller of Rain or Shine (41.8) also made it to the shortlist of candidates.

Hollis-Jefferson eyes a repeat of the Season 47 Governors’ Cup where he beat Brownlee for both the title and the Best Import accolade. But if Brownlee wins this one, he rises to solo second in the all-time list with four behind the late great Bobby Parks Sr. who collected seven.