The prolific TNT import is rallying his squad as they fight for their tournament lives in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday, March 26.
Hollis-Jefferson not raising the white flag yet
At a glance
There's no reason to surrender for prolific import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The TNT reinforcement is rallying his squad as they fight for their tournament lives in Game 6 of the PBA Season 49 Commissioner's Cup Finals against Barangay Ginebra on Wednesday, March 26.
“Really just locking in and understanding how important it is. If we lose the next game, it's over. It's all or nothing for us,” said the three-time Best Import on what TNT should do ahead of the do-or-die match.
Game 5 was marred with a verbal spat between head coach Chot Reyes and Poy Erram which painted an ugly picture to the team’s composure – or the lack thereof – during crucial situations.
If there’s anything that commotion meant for the team, it is their will to fight according to the veteran import.
“I see it as us fighting like hell. Fighting to win, fighting to play an excellent game, fighting to give maximum effort all 48 minutes. Whether we go up or not. Just staying locked in, trying to set it to us,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
Of course, that fight and emotion have to translate to the court especially after TNT was held scoreless in the final four minutes of Game 5.
Hollis-Jefferson, himself, struggled mightily, only putting up 19 points while needing 26 shots to reach that output.
“It's about mental, like our mentality going into those crucial moments. Turnover, wrong read on a defensive play, allowing someone to eject the screen,” he added.
“Me gambling on something I shouldn't gamble on, me turning the ball over. Me missing those easy shots in the paint. That's focused, that's 100% on us as players,” stressed Hollis-Jefferson.