CHICAGO - As I've said many times before, I like former NBA player Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and I believe he is the best import in the PBA this conference.
Unfortunately last Friday, he went out of his way to be disliked.
Replaced by his brother - Rahlir - due to injury, RHJ didn't play in the Tropang Giga's 119-112 loss to Rain or Shine. Somehow, he managed to star in a drama scene at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
READ Guiao hits out at 'totally disrespectful' RHJ for approaching ROS bench
After arguing with referees about a foul called against Rahlir, RHJ ended up in the ROS bench where he had a verbal altercation with coach Yeng Guiao.
"His behavior was disrespectful, The area he encroached in behind our bench is 'a safe place' where we have staff sitting. A person who invades that space is looking for trouble," Guiao told me in a telephone interview.
RHJ insisted he was just a "fan" who is free to "move about where I want."
GUIAO EVISCERATED THAT ARGUMENT.
"He insults the intelligence of Filipino fans by posing the excuse that as a fan, he can walk over to the bench of the opposing team and call out the referees for what he says was their BS. Who does that?
"I'm sure he still receives a salary from TNT, and from that perspective, he's part of the organization. How lucky can an ordinary fan be to receive a hefty salary from a team you are just cheering for," Guiao emphasized,
In case Rondae doesn't know it yet, Filipinos are hospitable, and sometimes, gullible to a fault. But we're not stupid.
RHJ cannot conveniently distance himself from TNT when it pleases him. Whether or not he is on the roster, logic implies that a player, who is presumed to be still salaried and whose rights the team owns, is a member of the organization.
This explains why arena security gave RHJ tremendous leeway to prance around the coliseum floor. They were right to assume he was a TNT employee.
I understand RHJ's eagerness to advocate for his brother. But Rahlir is a 32-year old grown man who can fight his own battles.
Speaking of battles, it seems like RHJ had an appetite for one.
"HE CHALLENGED ME TO A FIGHT OUTSIDE THE VENUE," GUIAO REVEALED.
As a fan of RHJ, I am crestfallen. If true, how can a mild-mannered pescatarian hint at engaging in physical contact to resolve conflict?
TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa sent a text message to Guiao "apologizing for RHJ's actions" but Kume Marcial is strangely quiet on this issue.
Last January 2023, Marcial abruptly summoned former Bay Area Dragons players Hayden Blankley and Myles Powell for "taking shots at officiating" following Game 3 of the Commissioner's Cup Finals.
Why is the standard for a reprimand or punishment so low for RHJ?
Is stalking the refs, breaching defined boundaries, and allegedly goading a coach to fight not serious enough to get the attention of the PBA Commissioner's Office?
Does RHJ have league immunity?
I hope not.
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