MANILA, Philipines – The TNT Tropang Giga are eager to continue and maintain their lead after gaining a significant lead from their strong performance in the series kick-off.

In contrast, the Barangay Ginebra Kings are licking their wounds and longing for a retaliation.

As they resume their PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven clash at the MOA Arena, it will either be Ginera tying the series at one game or TNT extending the lead.

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson stressed the significance of staying focused and enhancing their performance going forward after winning a pivotal Game 1 victory. He admitted that although winning the first game was a big milestone, the team needs to focus on the next task, making sure they improve their performance and make fewer errors. The secret to victory, according to Hollis-Jefferson, is to avoid mental errors and hold onto their lead throughout the match, which will be crucial as the series goes on.

Hollis-Jefferson, who is renowned for his unwavering work ethic, was a key contributor to the Tropang Giga’s victory in Game 1 (95-89). His impact on both sides of the court was highlighted by his all-around effort, which nearly led the squad to a triple-double. His presence gave TNT the steadiness and leadership they required to win, whether it was by scoring, grabbing rebounds, or setting up plays.

TNT’s victory in Game 1 demonstrated their capacity to perform well under duress, but Hollis-Jefferson is still committed to ongoing development. In order to win the series, he emphasized, they must maintain their level of play and address their areas of concern.

The Tropang Giga wants to improve on their performance and further hone their strategy now that they have momentum. The team’s goals will be propelled by Hollis-Jefferson’s leadership and dedication to perfection as they get ready for the next conflict.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, a TNT import, recognized the difficulty Barangay Ginebra poses, especially with its renowned “never-say-die” attitude. He was nevertheless certain that the Tropang Giga had the same degree of tenacity and fortitude.

He underlined that every player on both teams had the same competitive mentality and worked hard to win and give their best effort. He was confident that his colleagues would put up an equally strong battle if the roles were reversed and TNT found itself well down. According to him, a championship-caliber team was defined by its members’ mutual trust and determination to persevere until the final buzzer.

Hollis-Jefferson thought that they shared Ginebra’s mentality in that they were equally focused on competing and winning every game. He was still certain that his colleagues would react with the same ferocity if TNT encountered difficulties. He was convinced that the team could hold their own in the series since he had faith in their capacity to persevere through challenging times.

Tim Cone, the head coach of Ginebra, acknowledged that the squad was in a challenging situation after losing Game 1 but concentrated on the future. Although the team had to deal with the problem and figure out a means to recover, he acknowledged that the outcome was not what they had planned for.

The series was expected to be a fierce contest because both teams were exhibiting a strong mentality and an unyielding spirit of competition. Ginebra was anticipated to react with the same tenacity that had characterized the team over the years as the Tropang Giga sought to build on their momentum, which would make the forthcoming showdown even more intriguing.

What was supposed to be a competitive series opener became a one-sided contest as RHJ destroyed the game with a nearly triple-double performance of 34 points, 13 rebounds, and 8 assists, supported by the TNT shooters’ 14 of 37 three-pointers compared to the Gin Kings’ meager 7 of 28.

The Tropang Giga played excellent defense as well, keeping the Kings 15 points below their 105-point average from the elimination stages to the semifinals.

While Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, Rey Nambatac, and Glenn Khobuntin each scored two goals in a scorching TNT shooting that more than made up for the loss of star playmaker Jayson Castro, RR Pogoy scored five treys.

The Tropang Giga showed elegance, grace, and perseverance to glide through to a victorious start in a quest for potential back-to-back crowns in PBA Season 49, after Torrid shooting powered TNT’s early breakaway.