RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson sank two pressure-packed free throws with 10 seconds left to help the TNT Tropang Giga escape the Meralco Bolts, 101-99, oin the 49th PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Tuesday night, January 7, at the PhilSports Arena.

Hollis-Jefferson’s clutch free throws allowed the Tropa to avert a major letdown as they squandered what looked like a safe 23-point lead and saw the Bolts surge ahead late in the game.

TNT posted a 44-21 lead in the first half but Meralco staged a major uprising and took a 97-94 lead in the closing seconds of the fourth,

The Tropa took the lead back, 99-97, in the final 1:11 but the Bolts tied the match on a basket by Chris Banchero.

Hollis Jefferson then managed to fish a foul from Meralco import Akil Mitchell. The hardworking TNT import coolly sank the two gift shots and the Tropa finally escaped when Meralco’s Cliff Hodge missed a triple at the buzzer.

With the hard-earned win, the Tropa improved to 3-2 (win-loss), winning their last three games after starting the tournament with back-to-back losses.

Hollis-Jefferson did it all for the Tropa, finishing with 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals, and two blocks. Calvin Oftana backed Hollis-Jefferson with 24 points while Rey Nambatac and RR Pogoy added 15 and 12, respectively.

Mitchell tallied 24 points, 18 rebounds, and seven assists while Chris Newsome had 19 points and eight assists in Meralco’s third loss in seven games.

THE SCORES

TNT (101) -Hollis-Jefferson 24, Oftana 24, Nambatac 15, Pogoy 12, Castro 7, Erram 6, Aurin 5, Galinato 5, Khobuntin 3, Razon 0, Varilla 0.

MERALCO (99) - Mitchell 24, Newsome 19, Banchero 14, Quinto 12, Black 8, Hodge 6, Rios 5, Bates 4, Almazan 4, Cansino 3, Caram 0.

QUARTERSCORES: 27-17, 52-35, 79-68, 101-99.(CCM

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