ANTIPOLO – Aware of his situation as TNT replacement import, Nic Hornsby is just soaking on the experience of helping the team defend and retain its PBA Governors’ Cup championship.
For the second straight game, Hornsby proved up to the task as he factored in the Tropang 5G’s 116-98 beating of the San Miguel Beermen in the showdown between the top two title contenders Saturday night at the Ynares Center here.
Hornsby held his own against San Miguel’s prolific reinforcement George King, finishing with a team-high 23 points, six rebounds, and four assists in the win that formalized TNT’s entry into the quarterfinals phase.
READ: TNT rides big second half vs. SMB to book quarterfinals berth
And the 31-year-old Irvine, California native did his thing even with the team’s resident import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was watching the action on the TNT bench.
Hornsby was professional enough to understand the scenario he found himself with the franchise.
“I don’t feel any ill-will about that. I know what my job is,” he said, adding he wishes Hollis-Jefferson will finally be able to recover from his ruptured Achilles tendon that has grounded him for about a year now.
“Just given me the opportunity to be here for whatever it is, is a blessing.”
The Tropang 5G have so far won two in a row with Hornsby as their import, hiking their overall record at 6-4 in Group A.
TNT previously tapped Rondae's brother Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson to take over the place of Darius Days.
Hornsby described the import he temporarily replaced as a ‘great player and a great person.’
The talk had been talking to each other on a regular basis, making Hornsby know more about the former NBA player and three-time PBA Best Import.
“It’s cool to meet somebody who’s got that resume, talk to him, and be friends with him,” said Hornsby, who has long been looking forward of playing in the 50-year-old league for sometime now.
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