RAHLIR Hollis-Jefferson is set to take over the spot of his brother Rondae as TNT import in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
This was revealed by TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa, who said Rondae suffered a neck injury after a bad fall in the Tropang Giga’s EASL game in Sta. Rosa on Monday.
Lastimosa said the team is taking a conservative approach on Rondae after he suffered a fall so bad that he was taken to the hospital after the game against Taipei Fubon Braves on December 20.
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“Hindi na puwedeng bumalik si Rondae because he is injured. We are putting in Rahlir, his brother,” said Lastimosa.
With the decision of TNT, Rondae will no longer be eligible to return for the Tropang Giga in the ongoing Commissioner’s Cup since he was already replaced.
Under PBA rules, an import is only allowed to be replaced once. Rondae was the original import of TNT, but the Tropang Giga made a chance prior to their opening game against Magnolia due to an illness, with Quincy Miller taking over.
Rondae returned after Miller played for one game.
The decision put a premature end to Rondae's TNT stint in the Commissioner's Cup after leading the Tropang Giga to the Governors' Cup title last season.
“He is very fragile. He cannot turn his neck and I talked to his doctor yesterday and ‘yung injury na spinal cord na ganun, you don’t take it lightly. Even if wala nang pain, it’s a physical game. It can be jarred again and re-injure that neck again.”
“We are going the conservative part and protect Rondae’s career,” said Lastimosa.
Lastimosa said Rondae is also doubtful for TNT’s EASL game on January 24 against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters.
“Even the January game namin, hindi pa siguro makabalik si Rondae bumalik. We might have to play with one import,” said Lastimosa.
“EASL puwede pa siya bumalik, sa PBA hindi na,” said Lastimosa.
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