TNT books Finals berth, closes out Rain or Shine

TNT guard Rey Nambatac (6) and import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson throughout Recreation 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.internet

MANILA, Philippines–TNT pulled out all the mandatory stops on Friday evening to slide previous Rain or Shine, 97-92, and ebook a ticket to the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.

Resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson delivered 42 factors, 11 rebounds, 4 assists and three blocks because the Tropang Giga disposed of the ElastoPainters in Recreation 5 of the convention semifinals at Sensible Araneta Coliseum, in the end tabbing the primary seat within the championship showdown.

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“We confirmed quite a lot of coronary heart and guts down the stretch. We needed to ensure earlier than the ball recreation began, that we stayed current and didn’t permit our minds to wander. We felt we had slightly letdown within the first half, however we picked it up,” TNT head coach Chot Reyes stated on the heels of the triumph.

READ: PBA: TNT, Ginebra gun for close-out victories

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and coach Chot Reyes after going to the #PBAFinals for the second straight convention. @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Afu1ByinOo

— Rommel Fuertes Jr. (@MeloFuertesINQ) March 7, 2025

“However so many guys pitched in—a testomony to the gamers’ refusal to not go down and not using a combat. This sequence was so shut, it may’ve gone both manner. Ultimately, our means to make stops when it mattered was the distinction on this sequence,” he went on.

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Calvin Oftana had 12 factors and 12 rebounds, whereas Rey Nambatac had simply as a lot as TNT repeated over the younger Rain or Shine facet, which it additionally beat in 5 video games over the past semifinals again within the Governors’ Cup dominated by the Tropang Giga.

READ: PBA: TNT edges Rain or Shine to shut in on Finals berth

Import Deon Thompson had 34 factors and 6 rebounds, Adrian Nocum and Andrei Caracut added at the very least 10 extra every.

However with out massive contributions from the opposite locals, the ElastoPainters sputtered but once more, their once-promising convention fading midway by means of the knockout stage.

TNT will battle the winner of the Barangay Ginebra-NorthPort duel, which may see a decision ought to the Gin Kings win later within the night.