IT remains the biggest ‘what if’ in Philippine basketball.
Almost a year after, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still thinks his short-lived partnership with Justin Brownlee could have made a big difference in the PBA’s campaign in the East Asia Super League.
The two teamed-up for Meralco in the EASL Home and Away Season 3, only for the collaboration to not last long after Hollis-Jefferson went down with a ruptured Achilles tendon in the Bolts' 93-91 win over Macau Black Bears in Ilagan, Isabela.
“It looked good, it looked good,” said Jefferson on the brief connection he had with his rival import.
“It’s sad it got cut short. We got to play together at Meralco. I’m sure you guys got a glimpse of that.”
RHJ was no longer around when Meralco played for a berth in the quarterfinals, losing to Ryukyu Golden Kings, 81-72, despite the efforts of reinforcements Brownlee and Ismael Romero, as well as Asian import Sina Vahedi.
Back to the PBA
Now the 31-year-old Hollis-Jefferson is on a comeback trail after recovering and rehabilitating for the last 10 months, it’s Brownlee’s turn to be grounded behind a hamstring and knee injuries that have kept him out of the PBA 50th Season Governors’ Cup.
Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee fought in the finals thrice, with the TNT resident import emerging victorious all times, including back-to-back wins during the Season 49 Commissioner’s and Govs’ Cup.
Brownlee led Barangay Ginebra to the Season 50 Comm's Cup championship by beating the Tropang 5G in the best-of-seven title series that went the full route.
With RHJ injured, however, TNT went with another former NBA player in Chris McCullough for its title retention bid that went for naught.
Now, Hollis-Jefferson faces the prospect of not seeing Brownlee in the season’s final conference, with Jordan Murphy reinforcing the back-to-the-wall Gin Kings.
Of course, University of Arizona product admitted being saddened by the 38-year-old Brownlee not being around.
“We all know how I feel about Justin. Love his game, love him as a person,” he said. “I wish him well in his journey and whatever he’s been going through.”
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