TNT boots Meralco, sets up Govs' Cup finals date vs Ginebra

TNT will make a finals comeback after booting out Meralco, 107-92, in Game 4 of their best-of-five semifinals affair in the 2023 PBA Governors' Cup on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

With the win, the Tropang Giga will advance to face defending champion Barangay Ginebra in their bid to cop a first-ever Governors' Cup throne.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson erupted for 42 points laced with 11 rebounds, three assists, and two steals as TNT eliminated its sister team. Calvin Oftana shone off the bench with 21 points, eight rebounds, and one dime.

TNT was able to establish a 12-point lead early in the fourth, 90-78, before Chris Newsome's triple cut Bolts' deficit to seven, 93-86. But TNT was just laser-focused, unleashing a quick 7-2 run instigated by the import as they regained a double-digit upper hand, 99-88.

Mikey Williams then put the finishing kick, drilling a huge three-pointer and drawing the foul from KJ Mcdaniels for a four-point play opportunity, 103-92, with 1:43 left.

Williams finished with 17 markers on 4-of-9 shooting from three-point territory. He also contributed four rebounds, one assist, one steal, and one block  while Jayson Castro chipped in with nine points.

TNT and Ginebra will reunite in the finals, having faced each other during the 2020 Philippine Cup, which the Gin Kings ruled in five games. Ginebra is also looking to cop its third straight Governors' Cup title after ruling the 2019 and 2021 editions.

—Bea Micaller/JMB, GMA Integrated News