TNT clips ROS at Windup

MANILA, Philippines — TNT struggled offensively but stayed razor-sharp defensively to beat Rain or Shine for the 1-0 head start.

Flexing their shot-stopping muscles in the stretch, the Tropang Giga outdueled the Elasto Painters, 88-84, in the opener of their race-to-four PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series last night at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga overturned a 79-81 deficit with a 9-3 closeout, forcing their rivals to a slew of missed three-pointers and a couple of costly turnovers while making a pair of big blocks in the last six minutes to get it done.

Fourth-quarter stats showed TNT holding ROS to a meager 19-percent field goal (4-of-21) in the payoff period.

“Our mindset was to make sure that our defense is on point because this was the top scoring team in the quarterfinals. Rain or Shine was averaging 115,” said coach Chot Reyes. “We won this not on our offense but with our defense, limiting them to below 90 points.”

TNT had a hard time against ROS’ defending, too, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson making only eight of his 27 attempts. But RHJ had nine in the fourth to go with two blocks as he finished with 23 markers, 13 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and one steal.

Jayson Castro scored 24 – his highest output over the last two seasons – while Calvin Oftana, with little time to practice due to his Gilas Pilipinas duties, shot 22 spiked by a 6-of-8 sizzler from three-point country to ease the burden on their prolific import.

Later, Barangay Ginebra hit the ground running to draw first blood against NorthPort in their own best-of-seven clash, 115-93.

The Gin Kings dropped a 32-14 salvo ignited by Troy Rosario, RJ Abarrientos, Justin Brownlee and Jamie Malonzo to break away and pull it off despite having only two days of practice with the Gilas players and staff.