TNT moves a win away from PBA semis berth

The TNT Tropang 5G were all business in Game 2 of the PBA Governors’ Cup quarterfinals, dominating the Magnolia Chicken Timplados, 91-73, to move a win closer to a series sweep and a semifinal berth on Oct. 28, 2026, at the Ynares Center.

There was little Magnolia could do as the Tropang 5G replicated their lopsided Game 1 victory to go up 2-0 in the quarterfinal series behind the lights-out shooting of three-time Best Import awardee Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

The left-handed import wrapped up the Game 2 win with a game-high 39 points, alongside 15 rebounds, three blocks, two assists, and two steals.

RHJ immediately made his mark, putting Magnolia’s frontcourt in foul trouble with aggressive drives to the basket and a classic display of drawing fouls.

With seven minutes still left in the opening quarter, RHJ’s veteran ability to draw fouls had already put the Chicken Timplados in the penalty, which TNT capitalized on by aggressively attacking Magnolia’s shaded lane at every opportunity.

TNT’s masterful execution propelled the team to a nine-point lead heading into the second quarter, 31-22, and helped it protect its cushion through RHJ’s consistent two-way play, ending the first half ahead, 51-42.

Magnolia made a major defensive adjustment by sending three defenders toward RHJ whenever he drove inside, but the superstar import barely broke a sweat as he made the Chicken Timplados pay from downtown, sinking three 3-pointers in a single quarter to swell TNT’s lead to 15 points.

Despite Magnolia’s hot start in the fourth quarter, sparked by the offensive efforts of Zavier Lucero and Jerom Lastimosa, TNT spoiled its comeback hopes with a demoralizing 15-3 closing run in the final four minutes of regulation.

RHJ capped his dominant performance with six more points in the closing stretch, while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and RR Pogoy sank crucial baskets that prevented Magnolia from trimming the lead to single digits.

Backing up RHJ’s 39-point, 15-rebound performance were Ganuelas-Rosser and Pogoy, who chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.

On the other hand, Magnolia received 24 points from its import, KJ Buffen, but defensive woes proved to be its biggest weakness in Game 2, allowing RHJ to exploit scoring opportunities while conceding 40 points in the final two quarters.

Can the Tropang 5G seal the series with a sweep? Or will Magnolia win Game 3 to stay alive and keep its comeback hopes intact?