WONDERING where the hell was Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on the night TNT secured the eighth and last playoffs berth of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup?
Apparently, last year’s Best Import was told not to show up at the Philsports Arena game by the PBA Commissioner’s Office following the verbal altercation that involved him and Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao last week.
READ RHJ fined P20,000, Guiao P10,000 for bench spat
Tropang Giga coach Jojo Lastimosa made the disclosure when asked the whereabouts of the talented former NBA player on Sunday night when the team advanced to the quarterfinals following a 116-96 victory over Phoenix Fuel Masters.
“Hindi naman banned, sinabihan lang siya na huwag munang sumipot (sa game),” said the PBA great. “But itong game lang naman na ito.”
The order, SPIN.ph learned, was part of the sanction meted on the 29-year-old import in the wake of his heated exchange of words with Guiao and the rest of the Rain or Shine team during the two sides’ emotional encounter a week ago which the Elasto Painters won, 109-102.
During the incident, Hollis-Jefferson angrily confronted game officials following what TNT felt was a questionable call made on Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – brother and replacement of Rondae – in the final 49 seconds of a tight game which the Tropang Giga trailed by just six when the episode happened.
As he followed the referees on the sideline, the TNT import reached the Rain or Shine bench, which the Elasto Painters obviously didn’t like, eventually sparking a verbal confrontation between Hollis-Jefferson and Guiao.
The league later fined Hollis-Jefferson P20,000 including a no-show in the team’s must-win game over Phoenix, while Guiao was penalized for P10,000 after being caught flashing a middle finger on the do-it-all import.
But Lastimosa said he expects Hollis-Jefferson to be back on the sideline cheering the Tropang Giga when they battle top seed Magnolia Hotshots at the start of the quarterfinals on Wednesday.
The Hotshots hold a twice-to-beat edge against their No. 8 seeded opponent.
More so, the TNT coach said Hollis-Jefferson could be back in a TNT uniform when it plays Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters in its final, must-win game in the EASL on Jan. 24 at the Philsports Arena.
The Hollis-Jefferson siblings will again banner the Tropang Giga after steering them to their breakthrough win last month against the visiting Taipei Fubon Braves, 80-69, in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
“He (Rondae) will be cheering the team on Wednesday,” said Lastimosa. “And then he can still play in the EASL. Yeah, lalaro pa siya.”
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