Rondae Hollis-Jefferson flirted with a triple-double as defending champion TNT took down Rain or Shine, 90-81, to draw first blood in their PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup semifinals at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City on Wednesday, Oct. 9.

The reigning best import was all over the floor for the Tropang Giga, finishing with 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists on top of his five steals and four blocks that also typified his team’s huge defensive effort against the high-scoring Elasto Painters.

Hollis-Jefferson had eight of TNT’s 15 fourth quarter points – none bigger than the booming four against the shot clock with 1:53 left to take a 90-79 lead and slam the door on Rain or Shine comeback hopes.

He got plenty of help though with RR Pogoy firing 16 points and Rey Nambatac adding 14, including 11 in the third frame where the Tropang Giga seized control of the contest behind a 36-point explosion while also limiting the Elasto Painters to just 23.

Calvin Oftana also had his share of the spotlight with a double-double of 11 points and 10 rebounds.

Playing its first game since Tuesday of last week, TNT did show signs of rust after ROS took a four-point lead at the break, 43-39, but managed to come alive in the third and build a lead that went to as high as 13 in the final frame.

Aaron Fuller paced Rain or Shine with 18 points and 21 rebounds but it was when he was called for his fourth personal foul in the third TNT made the run and completely changed the complexion of the game.

Gian Mamuyac and Anton Asistio had 14 and 13 in a losing effort for the Elasto Painters who were seemingly not on their usual energetic selves after their quarters series against the Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals went the distance.