TNT brings in ex-NBA forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as new import

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

The TNT Tropang Giga is going all out this 2023 PBA Governor’s Cup.

Despite an impressive 5-1 standing with explosive import Jalen Hudson in the first half of the import-laced conference, the Tropang Giga decided to replace him with ex-NBA first-round pick Rondae Hollis-Jefferson confirmed on February 13, 2023.

It was TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa who announced their latest move, adding that it was never their plan to tap the 2015 23rd overall pick of the NBA Rookie Draft.

The original plan was to get KJ McDaniels for the Governor’s Cup but a sudden turn of events saw him wearing the Meralco Bolts jersey for the rest of the conference.

Lastimosa and the rest of the Tropang Giga management then found out that Hollis-Jefferson was available for the Governor’s Cup and admitted it was a tough decision to let go of Hudson.

Hudson carried the Tropang Giga scoring load for six-straight games, averaging 33.83 points including a scintillating 56-point output against the Converge FiberXers.

“So we wanted an import who is of the same caliber as KJ. Last weekend, we found out that RHJ was here so we consulted with our staff, including Coach Chot Reyes, if we should bring him in. Everyone made the decision to do so,” said Lastimosa in an interview with Tiebreaker Times.

Hollis-Jefferson wore the Brooklyn Nets jersey for four years and became a vital piece to their team when he was recognized as one of the most efficient two-way players in the NBA.

However, the forward from the Arizona Wildcats was traded to the Toronto Raptors last 2019 and had a short-lived stint after joining the Portland Trailblazers two years after.

The leftie swingman then left the NBA after a year with the Trailblazers after failing to secure a contract in the 2021 off-season.