TNT Tropang Giga wins Game 1 of PBA semis against Rain or Shine

TNT Tropang Giga secured an early lead in the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup semifinals by defeating the Rain or Shine ElastoPainters 90-81 in Game 1 at the Philsports Arena in Pasig City.

TNT's import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, delivered a strong performance with 26 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists, five steals, and four blocks, including a crucial four-point shot in the final moments.

Key contributions also came from Rey Nambatac, who scored 11 of his 14 points in the third quarter, RR Pogoy (16 points), and Calvin Oftana (11 points) for TNT.

Despite trailing by four points at halftime, TNT's defense held Rain or Shine to their second-lowest scoring output of the season, limiting their import Aaron Fuller to 18 points and 21 rebounds.

The Tropang Giga's offensive eruption in the third quarter, where they scored 36 points, was instrumental in building their lead.

Game 2 is set for Friday at Smart Araneta Coliseum, where TNT will aim for a 2-0 lead.

TNT will have to wait on the status of veteran Kelly Williams, who sustained a calf injury early in the contest.