The TNT Tropang 5G walloped the Magnolia Hotshots, 91-73, in Game 2 of their PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals series on Wednesday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo. The win moves the Tropa to a 2-0 lead and on the verge of barging into another semifinals.
What Happened?
TNT picked up from where it left off in Game 1, with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson firing nine quick points in a blistering 9-2 start for the Tropa. The other ka-Tropa soon joined in as TNT built a 31-20 lead after one. Jerom Lastimosa then came alive for the Hotshots, dropping 9 points himself in the second quarter. Magnolia, however, failed to make up ground as RHJ added 10 more points to his total to lead the Tropang 5G to a 51-40 halftime lead after a 20-20 quarter.
Magnolia made its move at the start of the third, scoring the first nine points to crawl to within two, 51-49. But TNT answered back with seven unanswered points to restore a 58-49 lead before going on a 14-2 run to take firm control of Game 2, 72-53. A 5-1 mini-run got the Hotshots to within 73-58 entering the final frame, but the Tropa proved too good and too composed to surrender the lead they had built.
Who Stood Out?
Hollis-Jefferson promised he will be even better after Game 1, and he delivered, pouring in a conference-best 39 points, including 21 in the first half alone. He also grabbed 15 rebounds, issued 2 dimes, and had 2 steals and 3 blocks.
For Magnolia, import KJ Buffen offered up a meek reply to RHJ’s takeover with a 24-point, 13-rebound effort that was just not enough.
3 Keys to the Game
- Defense. Once again, the league’s third-best defensive team clamped down on Magnolia, holding the Hotshots to 73 measly points on a ghastly 33.8% shooting clip overall. Put simply, Magnolia just couldn’t do anything on offense with the Tropa swarming around, cutting off driving lanes, shutting down the paint, and closing out on shooters.
- Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. RHJ was a wrecking ball for TNT in Game 2, with his rousing start setting the tone and his masterful second quarter keeping the Tropa in control. Magnolia simply had no answer for him.
- Championship pedigree. So far, through two games, TNT just looks like far and away the better team, which isn’t surprising. The Tropa are a champion squad with a championship-caliber roster, while the Hotshots are still working their way to get there. That showed in Games 1 and 2.
Next Up for the PBA: Quarterfinals
Friday, October 30, 2026 | Ninoy Aquino Stadium
San Miguel Beermen vs. Barangay Ginebra San Miguel (5:15 p.m.)
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters vs. Converge FiberXers (7:30 p.m.)
