September to remember for Tropang Giga in the PBA

By Robert Andaya

Standings

Group A     W   L
TNT 6    1
Meralco 5    2
Magnolia 4    3
Northport 3    4
Converge 3    4
Terrafirma 0    7

Group B
Ginebra 5    2
San Miguel 5    2
Rain or Shine 5    2
NLEX 3    4
Blackwater 3    4
Phoenix 0    7

Games Tuesday
(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

• 5:00 P.M.
Rain or Shine vs. NLEX

• 7:30 P.M.
Magnolia vs. TNT

The TNT Tropang Giga  are sitting pretty as the 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup enters mid September.

With four straight wins from August 29 to September 12, the Tropang Giga took  sole possession of  first place in Group A of the season-opening import-flavored conference.

Handled by multi-titled coach Chot Reyes, the Tropang Giga have racked up a morale-boosting four-game winning streak to serve notice of their title aspirations with a frontrunning 6-1 win-loss record.

TNT’s sister team, Meralco,  is second at 5-2.

TNT’s four straight victories came against the Meralco Bolts (108-99 last September 12), Converge FiberX (98-91 last September 8), Terrafirma Dyip (107-89 last September 5), and Magnolia Pambansang Manok (88-82 last August 29).

As expected, import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson shone  brightest as he led the Tropang Giga in scoring during their four consecutive wins.

Former NBA player Hollis-Jefferson scored 32 points, grabbed 19 rebounds, and dished out seven assists in the victory against Magnolia.

The American-Jordanian followed it up with  26 points, 11 rebounds, and seven assists in the game against Terrafirma Dyip. 

Hollis-Jefferson continued his impressive form with 21 points, 10 assists, and seven rebounds against the Converge FiberXers, followed by 22 points, nine assists, and seven rebounds in the game against the Meralco Bolts.

Lurking behind TNT and Meralco are Magnolia  (4-3), Northport Batang Pier  (3-4), Converge  FiberX (3-4) and Terrafirma Dyip ( 0-7).

Meanwhile, San Miguel Beermen, Barangay Ginebra, and Rain or Shine share the lead in Group B.

Like the Tropang Giga, the Gin Kings of  coach Tim Cone  have now won four consecutive games.

The Beermen, piloted by coach Jorge Gallent, are  not too far behind  with a three-game winning streak for a  5-2 win-loss record.

As for Rain or Shine, the Yeng Guiao-mentored Elasto Painters started strong with a 4-0 record. But  they are now on a roller-coaster ride by alternating losses and wins for a similar 5-2 slate.

The rest of the teams in Group B—NLEX Road Warriors,  Blackwater Bossing and Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters — remain on the outside looking in.