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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Basketball devider Returning to his TNT family a no-brainer for RHJ

Returning to his TNT family a no-brainer for RHJ

Published Aug 21, 2024 05:41 am

At A Glance

  • And everything just fell right into place for his third tour of duty for the Tropang Giga franchise after he ended up already good enough to join the team for its opening 101-95 win over NorthPort in the Governors' Cup.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s return was not really a question of why but rather just when.

And everything just fell right into place for his third tour of duty for the TNT Tropang Giga franchise after he ended up already good enough to join the team for its opening 101-95 win over NorthPort in the Governors’ Cup.

PBA Images19 (11).jpg

TNT head coach Chot Reyes revealed that they were really looking into tapping RHJ back as the team's import but he was still playing in Puerto Rico, prompting the Tropang Giga to get the services of Darius Days on an interim basis while they waited for the reigning Governors’ Cup import.

Fortunately for TNT and unfortunately for Hollis-Jefferson, his Puerto Rican team got eliminated early, allowing him to rejoin the team in time for the first game of their title-retention bid.

As expected, the flamboyant import did not disappoint in his first game back. RHJ finished with 32 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, four blocks and four steals.

“They asked me to show up, I came. They know how I feel about TNT. The players, staff, it’s a family. I appreciate everything that they do, my family being here, supporting me, welcoming us, it’s amazing. It’s a no-brainer whenever they call me,” said Hollis-Jefferson.

“We had set our mind on Rondae being our import. But then, he was still playing in Puerto Rico. We said there was no certainty when they would end. We decided to fly somebody in first but even Darius himself knew that he would be on an interim basis,” Reyes explained.

Hollis-Jefferson last played in the country last season as TNT’s Commissioner’s Cup import but was replaced by brother Rahlir due to an injury. In his first stint in the PBA, he towed the team to a championship.

The NBA veteran returned but now with a revamped TNT roster that has added Rey Nambatac and called Ping Exciminiano and Almond Vosotros from their 3x3 team to add into the mix. 

Of course, Calvin Oftana remained one of the focal points of the team along with RR Pogoy, who missed the first game.

“I like our chances. The guys are locked in, they are focused, and I feel like as long as we stay focused and we keep doing what coach Chot wants us to do, we stay locked in to the process, I feel like the sky's the limit,” said Hollis-Jefferson.

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