Daven Tamayo

PBA: RHJ takes over as TNT ousts Rain or Shine to capture first Finals ticket

Article (news)

John Franklin Kennedy Caacbay

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil" style="width:960px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1741345500691PBA Images15.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib fr-fil" alt="TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action. PBA Images"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in action. <em>PBA Images</em></span></span></span></div><p>MANILA, Philippines <strong>(UPDATED)</strong> – TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson took matters into his own hands in Game 5, leading the charge to oust Rain or Shine, 97-92, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner&#x27;s Cup on Friday at the Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City.</p><p>Hollis-Jefferson, who has two Best Import citations to his name, dropped a massive double-double of 42 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, but most importantly, the crucial baskets and defensive stops late in the fourth quarter to complete a 4-1 rout of their semis rivals in the best-of-seven contest.</p><p>&quot;We really showed a lot of heart and guts down the stretch,&quot; said coach Chot Reyes in the postgame press conference.</p><p>The Tropang Giga, who trailed by as much as 13 points in the third, managed to claw their way back, trimming that deficit down with a 15-4 run to end the said frame and enter the last period only behind by one, 66-67.</p><p>After exchange of conversions in the first six minutes of the fourth, the TNT reinforcement finally gave his team the driver&#x27;s seat as he made a jumper with 6:40 left, 78-77 -- a lead that, which turned out, the Tropang Giga held on to until the end of the match.</p><p>The Elasto Painters were able to stay within striking distance, but that was actually it for the Rain or Shine side as Hollis-Jefferson, Rey Nambatac, Kelly Williams, and Calvin Oftana all connived and made pivotal baskets to keep the separation in their favor.</p><p>Just when a Santi Santillan layup gave some glimpse of hope for Yeng Guiao and company, Oftana fired the dagger trey, 93-86, with around 39 seconds remaining to make it a two-possession ballgame.</p><p>Adrian Nocum&#x27;s four-point shot with less than 10 ticks left helped Rain or Shine close in at 96-92, but Hollis-Jefferson&#x27;s split from the charity stripe marked TNT&#x27;s Game 5 win, capping a 17-point output in the fourth quarter.</p><p>&quot;We just wanted to make sure that before the ballgame, we talked that we stay present and not allow our minds to wander during the game,&quot; said Reyes.</p><p>Nambatac and Oftana headlined TNT&#x27;s locals, listing 12 points each, with the latter also registering 12 rebounds for a double-double performance.</p><p>Rain or Shine&#x27;s Deon Thompson, for his part, delivered a decent 34-point showing and added six boards.</p><p>Nocum concluded with 13 markers, while Caracut was also in double digits with 10.</p><div><strong>The Scores:</strong></div><p><strong>TNT 97 – </strong>Hollis-Jefferson 42, Nambatac 12, Oftana 12, Pogoy 9, Khobuntin 9,Williams 8, Aurin 3, Erram 2, Heruela 0, Galinato 0</p><p><strong>RAIN OR SHINE 92 –</strong> Thompson 34, Nocum 13, Caracut 10, Tiongson 8, Santillan 7, Lemetti 6, Mamuyac 5, Norwood 5, Ildefonso 4, Clarito 0, Datu 0, Asistio</p><p><strong>QUARTERS: </strong>28-27, 44-46, 66-67, 97-92</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/3/5/pba-tnt-shuts-down-rain-or-shine-locals-en-route-to-game-4-win-2153"><strong>READ: PBA: TNT shuts down Rain or Shine locals en route to Game 4 win</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/3/2/pba-rain-or-shine-gets-on-board-fends-off-tnt-in-game-3-1928"><strong>READ: PBA: Rain or Shine gets on board, fends off TNT in Game 3</strong></a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/sports/basketball/2025/2/28/pba-tnt-holds-off-rain-shine-in-thriller-goes-up-2-0-0026"><strong>READ: PBA: TNT holds off Rain Shine in thriller, goes up 2-0</strong></a></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/8bJFhDiwE6w?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>