Big blow for TNT, Meralco as RHJ ruptures right Achilles tendon
At A Glance
- Do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has ruptured his right Achilles tendon last weekend during Meralco's EASL game against the Macau Black Bears in Ilagan City, Isabela
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson might be sidelined for a year or more after tearing his right Achilles tendon. (EASL)
Do-it-all import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has ruptured his right Achilles tendon last weekend during Meralco's EASL game against the Macau Black Bears in Ilagan City, Isabela
The mishap happened after the 30-year-old American landed his right foot on Macau's Sam Deguara in the third quarter of their showdown which the Bolts narrowly won, 93-91.
It serves a big blow to Meralco's campaign in the regional tilt while also giving TNT a major trouble when the franchise defends its Commissioner's and Governors' Cup titles next yeas.
Amid the ordeal, Meralco vowed to keep its support throughout the recovery process of the former NBA player.
“Rondae is a great person and has been an incredible teammate. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and our focus now is on his immediate treatment and recovery,” Meralco wrote in its statement.
“The Meralco Bolts are deeply grateful to Rondae for his contributions on and off the court. We believe in his resilience and are confident that he will overcome this challenge and return stronger,” he added. “The Meralco organization is here to support him every step of the way.”
Though there is no official timetable with regards to the return of the versatile 6-foot-6 forward, his current injury, the one that the late Kobe Bryant sustained in 2013, would take a year or more before he could finally play again.
Hollis-Jefferson, a three-time PBA champion with the Tropang Giga, was tapped, along with Justin Brownlee and Ismael Romero, by Meralco last September to beef up the Philippine club in the EASL.
It was a move the PBA Board gladly approved, as it hoped to see Meralco win the competition in time for its 50th anniversary.