The TNT Tropang 5G pummeled the Magnolia Hotshots, 92-70, on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo to start their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals campaign with a massive statement: all roads to the title lead to TNT.
What Happened?
Game 1 unfolded like a true heavyweight clash, and both teams buckled up on defense right away. But TNT managed to create some separation in the tail end of the opening frame, racing out to a 19-12 lead before Zav Lucero hit a triple with a minute left to move Magnolia to within 19-15 after one. The second quarter was more of the same, a dogfight on defense. A KJ Buffen jumper tied things up at 31 before the Tropang 5G hunkered down on defense even more on their way to an 11-2 end-of-quarter run to take a 42-33 lead into intermission.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson then took over in the third, firing 11 of his 26 points to lead TNT to a 26-18 quarter and a 68-51 lead heading into the fourth. TNT’s dominance continued well into the final frame as the Tropa pushed their advantage to as high as 25 twice, 86-61 and 88-63, and they cruised to a 1-0 lead.
Who Stood Out?
Hollis-Jefferson, playing in only his third game back since coming off a 10-month layoff, showed he’s ready for TNT’s title defense, leading the way with a game-high 26 points on top of 9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 3 steals. He also led the Tropa’s breakaway starting at the end of the second and the start of the third. Calvin Oftana, meanwhile, added a 13-point, 11-rebound double-double, while RR Pogoy and Rey Nambatac chipped in 12 apiece.
Magnolia, meanwhile, struggled as a team, with Buffen and Lucero providing meek replies to TNT’s rallies. Buffen, who struggled with fouls in the third, finished with 18 points and 9 boards, while Lucero put up 14 points and 10 caroms.
3 Keys to the Game
- Defense. In a battle of the best (Magnolia) and third-best (TNT) defenses of the conference, it was the Tropa’s that stood firm. Their defense was so stifling and unforgiving, in fact, that the Hotshots never breached 20 points in all four quarters. They also shot a ghastly 37.8% from the field and an even uglier 11.5% from distance.
- Starters. TNT’s starting unit got the job done, outscoring their counterparts from Magnolia, 64-45. Four of the Tropa’s five starters finished in double digits as opposed to only three on the other side.
- Third quarter. The Tropa created separation at the end of the second quarter, but they took over completely in the third quarter, where they outscored the Hotshots, 26-18. That quarter gave TNT a 68-51 lead heading into the fourth, and it proved insurmountable.
Next Up for the PBA: Quarterfinals
Tuesday, October 27, 2026 | Smart Araneta Coliseum
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San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (7:30 p.m.)
