TNT picks up fifth straight win after surviving Meralco rally

TNT almost let a double-digit lead slip away, but made the plays late to stop Meralco, 111-104, and claim its fifth straight win in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The Tropang Giga improved to 7-1 while Meralco absorbed back-to-back losses to drop to 3-3.

TNT led by as much as 22 late in the third period, 84-62, after a triple from veteran guard Jayson Castro. But the Bolts slowly turned things around with import KJ Mcdaniels pulling his side to within six, 108-102, with 25 seconds left.

But new TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson completed two charities before Meralco's Aaron Black went for a layup that made it a 110-104 affair.

Castro then split his free throws as time ran out for Meralco.

Hollis-Jefferson was two assists away from a triple-double with 34 points, 11 rebounds, eight dimes, and two steals while Mikey Williams finished with 25 markers, five boards, and one assist as TNT extended its surge.

During that fourth quarter, TNT outscored Meralco, 35 to 25, but still fell short of a comeback.

Mcdaniels and Chris Newsome paced Meralco with 26 and 20 points apiece with the reinforcement also grabbing 15 rebounds.

—JMB, GMA Integrated News