THE Talk N’ Text Tropang GIGA suffered yet another loss, this time at home, against the Chiba Jets in the East Asia Super League on All Saints Day, 75-66, in Santa Rosa Sports Complex last night.
Despite the absence of their primary import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Quincy Miller led the Tropang GIGA’s offense with 22 points, while Jaydee Tungcab and Jayson Castro scored 10 and 8, respectively.
At halftime, the undermanned Tropang GIGA trailed by as much as 18 points, 50-32. TNT was able to narrow the deficit to 5 points in the fourth quarter, but John Mooney and his team were unstoppable.
John Mooney and DJ Stephens of the Chiba Jets led the squad with monstrous double-doubles of 30 points and 16 rebounds, 15 points and 10 rebounds, respectively.
This was the TNT Tropang GIGA’s second loss to the Chiba Jets. The Tropang Giga were also defeated by Chiba in their first meeting three weeks earlier, 93-75.
Throughout the game, it was clear that the squad was missing Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s services. He was said to be out with gastroenteritis, leaving Miller as Tropang GIGA’s lone import.
Hollis-Jefferson attended the game, but he’s still doubtful for Sunday’s season opener against Magnolia, according to head coach Jojo Lastimosa.
The Chiba Jets are already 3-0, while the country’s representative, Tropang Giga, is 0-2 in the 2023-2024 East Asia Super League rankings.
