RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson was at the back of the TNT bench on Sunday to watch Game One of the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.
Hollis-Jefferson has been in the Philippines for quite some time now holding basketball clinics for TNT across the country. He was already at the sidelines in TNT's last two games of the elimination round where the Tropang 5G unfortunately lost to Barangay Ginebra and Magnolia.
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The TNT resident import finally got to see his team win via a 99-96 decision over San Miguel last Sunday in a game where the Tropang 5G had to grind out the win after losing a 24-point advantage, hanging on with some clutch shots, and big break in the end when Mo Tautuaa’s dunk was nullified for offensive interference.
Hollis-Jefferson later gave credit where credit is due.
“Having that lead, sometimes you get comfortable,” said Hollis-Jefferson. “It was good to see that. Chris (Ross), I love Chris to death. He brought the energy. He came in like a pitbull. But it came down to the last couple of plays.”
“They stood strong and also that reverse call, the offensive one, the rim hold, it was big. We needed that momentum. Things like that. It especially put us up one, the free throws that got us up by three. I think that was pretty huge. You have to give credit to San Miguel especially Chris Ross."
TNT moved three wins away from a grand slam that was made possible by Hollis-Jefferson’s performance in the past two conferences where he won Best Import awards in the Governors’ Cup and the Commissioner’s Cup.
Hollis-Jefferson is confident that the Tropang 5G can complete the grand slam in the all-Filipino conference as he debunked claims on social media that TNT is an ‘asa sa import’ team.
“I don’t believe that,” said Hollis-Jefferson. “If anything, them playing with me, they are more than ready.”
Hollis-Jefferson said the mentality that he brought to the Tropang 5G during the last two conferences has rubbed off on his teammates as shown by their come-from-behind wins over the course of the Philippine Cup, despite injuries that came along the way.
“Seeing them prepare, how much I care, how much I give my all, I think that rubbed off on these guys. Being banged up, wanting to win, I think it shows in moments like this that we grind out wins.”
“I believe we can win, with or without me,” RHJ added.
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