RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson embraces the heightened expectations as he joins forces with Justin Brownlee at Meralco for the coming EASL season.
Hollis-Jefferson is in the Philippines for a couple of days now along fellow import Ismael Romero to start getting acclimated with the Bolts before their opening game in the EASL on October 22 against the Ryukyu Golden Kings in Okinawa, Japan.
The high expectations are merited, said Hollis-Jefferson.
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“I agree with them,” said Hollis-Jefferson, when asked about the expectations from fans. “I agree with us being really excited and us being ready for the EASL. I think that the amount of time I’ve watched the guys on Meralco, I think that’s what it boils down to, being a student of the game. And I tend to look at myself like that.”
“So understanding where guys thrive and how to put them in the best situations to be successful, I think, will help us in the EASL,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
RHJ averaged 27.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.6 blocks in TNT’s campaign during the 49th Season, leading the Tropang 5G to two championships in the two import-laden conferences against a Barangay Ginebra led by Brownlee.
Hollis-Jefferson said he is fired up to play with Brownlee this time.
“JB’s not here yet, but I look forward to when he comes and joins us,” said Hollis-Jefferson. “It’s an honor to be able to play alongside him. One of the best talents abroad, overseas, and I look forward to it.”
With Brownlee as teammate, Hollis-Jefferson said he doesn’t need to score a ton of points for Meralco in the EASL, and he intends to become a facilitator with the Bolts.
“I’m sure you guys will see a different side of me versus, ‘Oh, I got to go get 35 or something’ to help us win when it’s like, ‘JB can get 35.’ It’s more so about setting guys up, putting guys in the right position to make sure it’s the easiest two points or the easiest three points they’ve ever gotten,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
Even his teammates look forward to playing with Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee with the defense that they will be attracting.
“It’s funny. Bong (Quinto), when I came, he was like, I can’t wait to sit in the corner because he’s like, they know that I’m going to find them, I’m going to put you in that position,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
The Bolts should also get a boost from Romeo, a 6-foot-9 big who plays for the Puerto Rico national team and was once RHJ’s teammate in their domestic league.
“That’s my guy,” said Hollis-Jefferson of the 34-year-old Romero. “He is a workhorse. He plays extremely hard. He is driven. I’m sure you guys seen his physique. He is a monster. He is going to leave it all out there. You couldn’t ask for anything more then you’re looking for someone to fit a role,” said Hollis-Jefferson.
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