PBA: Terrence Jones delivers, as TNT edges Ginebra in semis opener
TERRENCE Jones made a crucial block before scoring on the other end in the dying seconds, as TNT completed a gutsy comeback by beating Barangay Ginebra 95-92 in Game 1 of the 2019 PBA Commissioner’s Cup semifinals at Aranete Coliseum Friday.
Despite being saddled by fouls, the former NBA player finished with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 7 assists, 4 blocks and 3 steals, playing all 48 minutes.
But he also got a lot of support from local teammates Troy Rosario and Anthony Semerad as they battled their way out of a 10-point deficit in the second half.
Game 2 returns to the Big Dome on Sunday.
Rosario had 24 points on 5-of-8 field-goal shooting to go with 10 rebounds. Semerad fired 4 triples to finish with 17 points before sustaining an apparent injury while crashing into Justin Brownlee.
An 11-0 run had the Kings leading 72-62 in the third quarter, but Jones and Rosario rallied the KaTropa in the fourth to push TNT ahead 93-89 with 1:30 remaining.
Stanley Pringle scored on a driving layup and Brownlee split his charities to pull the Kings to within 1 point with 39 seconds to go.
However, Jones swatted Scottie Thompson’s attempt and gave TNT added cushion with another bas
ket in the final 10 seconds.
Ginebra coach Tim Cone sued for time to set up a play, but Joe DeVance’s heave from the 3-point area missed its mark.
The scores:
TNT 95 - Jones 24, Rosario 24, A. Semerad 17, Castro 13, Pogoy 10, Trollano 6, Heruela 2, Washington 0, Taha 0, Reyes 0, Magat 0.
Ginebra 92 - Brownlee 23, Pringle 18, Tenorio 18, Devance 11, Aguilar 8, Slaughter 7, Caguioa 7, Caperal 0, Mariano 0, Thompson 0, Teodoro 0.
Quarterscores: 23-24, 51-50, 70-78, 95-92 ABSCBN News