Team NSD settles for the third seed.
Coming into Friday's game, the TNT Tropang Giga knew they needed a win to secure the number one seed in the PBA Governors’ Cup, but doing so was a tall task as they had to defeat the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
And it did look like the task could not be completed.
Ginebra displayed poise in the first three quarters, leading by as much 14 points at one point.
But come the fourth quarter, TNT’s defense simply took over and helped them make a furious rally en route to a 114-105 victory.
It sounds too easy, because the Tropang Giga made the comeback look natural. It's like they knew they were going to win.
“We were behind most of the game, but we were not too far behind,” said coach Jojo Lastimosa. “If you're behind that much points only, we always have a chance to comeback, especially with the way the kind of players that we have.”
Lastimosa knew of his team's capabilities, and it was composure that put them over the hump against the defending champions.
“They didn't panic and the guys made shots when we needed to, we made stops when needed. That's just the game,” he said.
Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was all over the court for TNT, finishing with 34 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 1 block.
“Rondae, he's beginning to figure out how to play with the other guys. The reason why we got Rondae is he can make his teammates better,” Lastimosa shared.
Mikey Williams and RR Pogoy also played key roles in the victory as they finished with 25 and 22 points, respectively.
With the win, TNT will now face the eight-seeded Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters on Wednesday, while Ginebra is set to take on the NLEX Road Warriors on Sunday at 6:30 p.m.