IF there was someone who believed Rondae Hollis-Jefferson deserved the Best Import award of the PBA 49th Season Governors’ Cup, it’s his closest rival for the award Justin Brownlee.
Hollis-Jefferson won over Brownlee again for the plum that was handed out on Sunday before Game Four of the finals series at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum.
‘RHJ’ was ahead in the statistical race, while also getting the nod of the media to capture his second Best Import plum, winning his first one in the last edition of the Governors’ Cup in 2023.
READ: Hot-shooting Ginebra rips TNT in Game 4, ties PBA Finals at 2-2
“That’s a talented dude,” said Brownlee, who was unable to win his fourth Best Import award that would have elevated him to second in the list of all-time winners of the plum behind the seven won by Bobby Parks Sr., the award of which was later named after him.
“He’s been playing incredible the whole conference. It’s well-deserved,” said Brownlee, who noted that TNT only lost twice in the eliminations, and twice in the quarterfinals and semifinals combined.
Hollis-Jefferson averaged 28 points, 12.89 rebounds, 6.39 assists, 2.89 steals, and 1.89 blocks in games from the eliminations to the semifinals, slightly better than Brownlee, who had 28.32 points, 9.21 rebounds, 5.79 assists, 1.58 assists, and 1.47 blocks.
On Sunday, Brownlee was the import that got his team the victory as Barangay Ginebra defeated TNT, 106-92, after he hit for 34 points, six rebounds, four assists, and one steal. Hollis-Jefferson, on the other hand, had 28 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and two steals.
Regardless of the result of Sunday’s contest, Brownlee said Hollis-Jefferson’s play is the main reason why TNT is in the finals, vying for that crown against Brownlee’s Barangay Ginebra.
“They are just been playing great the whole conference, throughout the eliminations and through the playoffs. Huge reason why they are in the finals. Congratulations to him. It’s well-deserved,” he added.
“I would have voted for him too,” said Brownlee with a smile.
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