PBA: TNT beats Converge in OT regardless of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson ejection

TNT guard Jayson Castro. –PBA

ANTIPOLO — TNT pulled out the mandatory stops within the further interval on Saturday night time to outlive Converge, 101-98, within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup. regardless of the early exit of its high gun and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

Jayson Castro got here via within the closing body because the undermanned Tropang Giga discovered one other hero—an unlikely one—in Jewel Ponferrada who put the ending touches on the membership’s first victory.

“As a veteran and one of many leaders of this staff, we needed to present that we’re nonetheless able to preventing with out an import,” mentioned the fleet-footed playmaker and cornerstone, who completed with 23 factors and eight rebounds at Ynares Middle right here.

“The character of TNT is a profitable custom and we wanted to point out that,” he went on.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. – PBA IMAGES

Hollis-Jefferson had 14 factors earlier than his ejection early into the third interval, whereas Calvin Oftana chipped in 19 factors within the effort that had the perennial playoff contenders enhancing to a 1-1 report within the race.

Hollis-Jefferson was thrown out after incurring a second technical foul, hurting the possibilities of an already depleted TNT roster already lacking a number of stars and position gamers.

Import Tom Vodanovich had 25 factors whereas Jerrick Balanza chipped in 18, Justin Arana 12, and Kevin Racal 10 to the scoring effort as a win continued to be elusive for the FiberXers who dropped to 0-2.

The Scores:

TNT 101 – Castro 23, Oftana 19, Hollis-Jefferson 14, Ponferrada 12, Khobuntin 10, Ok. Williams 7, Heruel 5, Tolomia 4, Reyes 3, Galinato 2, Cruz 1, Tungcab 0.

CONVERGE 98 – Vodanovich 25, Balanza 18, Arana 12, Racal 10, Tallo 9, Winston 8, Nieto 6, Stockton 6, Melecio 4, Fornilos 0, Wong 0, Maagdenberg 0, Santos 0.

Quarterscores: 28-22, 56-39, 74-64, 95-95, 101-98.