RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson and brother Rahlir play on local shore for the last time Wednesday night as the two reinforce TNT in its do-or-die game against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang in the East Asia Super League at the Philsports Arena.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa said the former NBA player will finally be available to suit up for the Tropang Giga in the 7 p.m. encounter after going down with a neck and back injury during the team’s Dec. 20 game against the visiting Taipei Fubon Braves.
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The Tropang Giga won the match, 80-69, marking the first time Rondae and Rahlir played together under one team in their professional career.
The injury eventually kept Rondae Hollis-Jefferson out for the rest of the Tropang Giga’s campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, where they had an early exit in the playoffs.
Teaming up with his brother anew, the Hollis-Jeffersons are eyeing to steer the Tropang Giga to a win over the visiting Korean side in hope of staying in the hunt for the remaining semifinals berth in Group A.
Chiba Jets of the Japan B. League clinched the first semifinals berth in the group with a perfect 6-0 record.
Anyang Jung Kwan Jung carries an even 2-2 record followed by TNT and Taipei Fubon Braves with similar 1-4 cards.
The Red Boosters though are parading a new import in Jamil Wilson, who suited up for Converge also during the Commissioner’s Cup as a replacement for Tom Vodanovich.
Wilson though, wasn’t the import of the FiberXers yet when the two sides met last Nov. 11 in which the Tropang Giga won, 101-98.
Anyang also serves as the mother team of Gilas Pilipinas stalwart Rhenz Abando, who unfortunately, is out indefinitely following the harrowing fall he suffered in a game against Goyang Sono Skygunners. The Filipino import though, travelled with the team for a brief Manila homecoming.
But the visiting reigning Korean Basketball League champion is also seeking a win to formally clinch a berth in the Final Four and avoid complications in case a tie ensues at the end of the elimination phase.
A win by TNT however, doesn’t guarantee the franchise of advancing to the semis outright.
The Triple Giga still need a Taipei Fubon Braves win over the Anyang Red Boosters on Feb. 7 in the hope of forging a three-way tie at second spot, in which case, the tiebreaker situation will be applied to determine the second and last semifinalist in their bracket.
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