IT was good while it lasted.
Justin Brownlee admitted having a blast playing alongside Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, short as it their time together at Meralco in the East Asia Super League may have been.
In a rare moment, two of the best imports ever to play in the PBA teamed up and formed a deadly tandem aimed at bringing the Bolts success in the regional tournament.
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Unfortunately, Hollis-Jefferson went down with a right Achilles tendon rupture in the Bolts’ game against the Macau Black Bears in Ilagan, Isabela two weeks ago.
The former NBA player has since returned to the US where he underwent an operation, and is projected to be out for at least a year.
Brownlee considered the incident as very unfortunate, but hopes to see RHJ back on the court soon.
“He gave everything for the game of basketball. He approached the game the right way and playing with him as teammates was just so fun,” Brownlee shared to SPIN.ph before leaving to the US for the holiday season.
“I can’t wait to see him back and play together again.”
The Bolts won the game, 93-91, improved to 3-2 in Group B, and enhanced their bid of making the playoffs.
But it also had to pay the price with the injury to the 30-year-old Hollis-Jefferson.
Brownlee initially thought, it was just a bad sprain.
“Everybody was just talking about him tweaking his ankle, and it didn’t look too bad at first,” said the Gilas Pilipinas naturalized player and Barangay Ginebra resident import. “But when you see a guy with that type of injury, that’s a lot of pain.”
The 37-year-old Brownlee wishes a speedy recovery for the three-time Best Import awardee of TNT, who suffered the injury after landing on the foot of towering Macau Black Bears import Sam Deguara.
“It’s a part of the game. But I wished him well for his full recovery,” said Brownlee. “But I know he’s a warrior and he’s going to come out better.
“I know he is down, I just hope he keeps his spirits high. He’s very motivated and he’s very disciplined.”
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