Rondae Hollis-Jefferson showed nerves of steel and saved TNT some blushes against a late charge from Meralco, 101-99, in the PBA Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup at the PhilSports Arena on Tuesday, Jan. 7.

The Tropang Giga squandered a huge 23-point lead but recovered just in time with the last conference’s Best Import draining two pressure-packed free throws with 10.9 seconds left to notch their third straight victory.

Hollis-Jefferson either made or assisted TNT’s last 10 points as the Tropang Giga engaged the Bolts on a see-saw battle inside the last two minutes.

A Hollis-Jefferson layup made it 99-97 for TNT with 1:11 left but Chris Banchero replied with a basket of his own to knot the game once more. The Tropang Giga then forced a stop on the other end and Hollis-Jefferson forced a foul on Meralco import Akil Mitchell for the marginal free throws.

The Bolts had one last chance to either win it all with a trey or send the game to an overtime with a deuce but the Tropang Giga managed to put a stop to the initial attack of Chris Newsome.

With the time running out, Meralco was forced to take a three-point attempt from Cliff Hodge which he missed as the shot clock expired.

Hollis-Jefferson filled the stat sheet with 24 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocks while Calvin Oftana amply supported him with 24 points built on three triples.

Rey Nambatac had 15 while RR Pogoy added 12 for TNT which initially looked to be breaking the game wide open in the first half after taking a 44-21 lead.

The Bolts, however, behind the efforts of Mitchell and Newsome came alive in the second half and even took a 97-94 lead late in the final frame.

Mitchell also had an all-around game of 24 points, 18 rebounds and seven assist while Newsome added 19 points and eight assists for the now 4-3 Meralco.