Tropang Giga Overcome Offensive Struggles with Strong Defense
TNT Tropang Giga leaned on its defense to secure an 88-84 victory over Rain or Shine in the opening game of their PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinal series at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Despite struggling offensively, especially from star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, TNT managed to limit the high-scoring Elasto Painters and gain an early series lead.
Bench Sparks TNT’s Offense
With Hollis-Jefferson facing tough defense and shooting just 8-of-27 from the field, Jayson Castro and Calvin Oftana stepped up to carry the scoring load. Castro led the team with 24 points, while Oftana added 22. Hollis-Jefferson contributed 23 points but made a bigger impact defensively with 13 rebounds, five assists, and four blocks.
Head coach Chot Reyes acknowledged Rain or Shine’s strong defense on their import, emphasizing the importance of other players stepping up. “They did a really good job defending Rondae… Jayson and Calvin provided that firepower coming off the bench,” Reyes said.
TNT’s Defense Proves the Difference
The key to TNT’s victory was its relentless defense. The Tropang Giga forced Rain or Shine into 21 turnovers, including 11 in the second half, significantly disrupting their usual high-scoring offense. This was a major factor in limiting the Elasto Painters, who had averaged 114.67 points per game in the quarterfinals.
Reyes highlighted the team’s defensive approach, stating, “We won this not with our offense but with our defense, limiting them to below 90 points.”
Rain or Shine’s Missed Opportunities
Despite their struggles, Rain or Shine had chances to steal the win. Andrei Caracut’s two free throws brought them within three points, 87-84, with 1:59 left. However, TNT’s defense held strong, denying Rain or Shine any points in their final four possessions.
Deon Thompson led all scorers with 29 points for the Elasto Painters, while Adrian Nocum added 18 in a rare starting role.
Looking Ahead
With TNT taking a 1-0 lead in the best-of-seven series, both teams will look to make adjustments in Game 2. TNT aims to improve offensively while maintaining its defensive intensity, while Rain or Shine will seek to capitalize on its scoring opportunities and cut down on turnovers.