SPORTS
Advocates Philippines
TNT Tropang Giga Dazzles In Game 1, Takes Down Ginebra In Dominant 104-88 Victory
Photo credit: PBA
In an electrifying showdown, TNT Tropang Giga showcased why they are considered one of the league’s elite defensive teams, outplaying the formidable Barangay Ginebra with a stunning 104-88 victory in Game 1 of the PBA Season 49 Governors' Cup title series. The match, held at the Ynares Center before a record-breaking crowd of 11,021 fans, highlighted TNT's lethal combination of defensive prowess and precision shooting from beyond the arc.

From the get-go, the Tropang Giga set the tone for the night by stifling Ginebra's usually high-octane offense, limiting them to a mere 88 points—18 less than their regular-season average of 106.5. They held Ginebra’s three-point shooting to a shocking 9.5 percent (just 2-of-21), well below their league-best mark of 37 percent.

“We know the strength of Ginebra. We looked at the numbers and we focused really on that—taking away their strengths and really making sure we lean on our strength, which is our ability to stop teams and play defense,” said TNT head coach Chot Reyes, who now has his sights set on taking a commanding 2-0 lead when the series moves to the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Wednesday.

While tightening the screws on defense, the Tropang Giga also made a statement from the perimeter, sinking 12 of their 30 attempts (40 percent) from three-point range. They kicked off the game with a bang, launching into a 19-5 run in the first quarter and finishing the period with a comfortable 27-15 lead. Despite Ginebra's attempts to claw back, pulling within six points at 37-43 in the second quarter, TNT had other plans. Jayson Castro and Rey Nambatac stepped up big, scoring 12 points each in the third and fourth quarters, respectively, to widen the gap and secure the win.

“When we got off to a good start defensively, I think that set the tone for the game, and there's no secret to our game—it's really our defense. I think defense really won it for us,” Reyes added.

Leading the charge for TNT was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who delivered an impressive all-around performance with 19 points, 10 rebounds, four assists, and three blocks. The locals also shone brightly, with Nambatac making a memorable finals debut, notching a double-double of 18 points and 10 boards, complemented by seven assists and two steals. JP Erram contributed 15 points while Castro added 14 to the mix.

For Ginebra, Justin Brownlee fought valiantly, recording 23 points, six rebounds, and three assists in a losing effort. The game's atmosphere not only electrified fans but also contributed to a noble cause, with expected ticket sales raising between P1.5 to P2 million for victims of the severe tropical storm Kristine. The sellout crowd shattered the previous record at Ynares, which stood at 10,952, set back in the 2011 Philippine Cup quarterfinals.

With such a strong start, TNT Tropang Giga is poised to continue their momentum into Game 2. Fans are eagerly awaiting what promises to be another thrilling encounter.
Oct 28, 2024
MORE SPORTS →

We are dedicated storytellers with a passion for bringing your brand to life. Our services range from news and media features to brand promotion and collaborations. 

Interested? Visit our Contact Us page for more information. To learn more about what we offer, check out our latest article on services and opportunities.

Share this article

MORE SPORTS →
Share by: