PBA: TNT boots out Magnolia, punches semifinals ticket

TNT unloaded a massive third quarter en route to a 98-87 win against Magnolia, completing a sweep of their best-of-three PBA Season 50 Governors' Cup quarterfinals on Saturday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

The defending champions Tropang 5G turned a slim 50-41 halftime lead into a 79-56 cushion by the end of the third period behind Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, clinching a semifinals ticket while sending the Hotshots to their seventh straight quarterfinals heartbreak.

TNT will face either Barangay Ginebra or San Miguel in the semifinals.

Hollis-Jefferson dropped 38 points, including 10 in that third-quarter barrage, to go with nine rebounds, three assists, and one steal to once again bring TNT to the semifinals.

Rey Nambatac led the local support with 13 points, five rebounds, and five assists while RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana chipped in 12 and 10 markers each.

Although TNT shot an efficient 51.3% from the field, it was on the defensive end where the Tropang 5G made their biggest statement, holding Magnolia to just 39.7% shooting while forcing the Hotshots into 14 turnovers.

TNT dictated the pace early, but Magnolia kept itself within striking distance in the first two quarters, trailing by just nine points at halftime.

But TNT, which had beaten Magnolia by 22 and 18 points in Games 1 and 2, respectively, turned up the heat in the third quarter, stretching its lead to as much as 26 points after a Nambatac layup late in the frame to make it 79-53.

The Hotshots did try to come back by pulling to within 13 off a Gab Gomez long triple, 81-94, but Hollis-Jefferson and Pogoy answered from the other end to spoil the Magnolia fightback.

Scores:

TNT 98 – Hollis-Jefferson 38, Nambatac 13, Pogoy 12, Oftana 10, Heading 9, Castro 5, Ganuelas-Rosser 5, Galinato 3, Khobuntin 3, Jalalon 0, Erram 0, Quitevis 0.

Magnolia 87 – Buffen 31, Sanagalang 12, Koon 9, Lastimosa 8, Gomez de Liano 8, Lucero 7, Barroca 6, Gomez 6, Andrada 0, Alfaro 0, Laput 0, Verano 0.

Quarters: 23-21, 50-41, 79-56, 98-87.

—JKC, GMA News