By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is ready to boost the TNT Tropang Giga for the second straight conference after accepting another reinforcement duty in the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
It was TNT head coach Chot Reyes who announced their latest off-season move in preparation for the import-laced conference and which was later confirmed by the Tropang Giga management.
Fresh off a championship title win during their tremendous campaign in the PBA Governor’s Cup, Hollis-Jefferson is seeking a back-to-back import-laced conference gold trophy together with the same TNT core group.
The reigning PBA Best Import of the Conference steered the Tropang Giga to a consistent outing from start to finish and averaged 28.0 points, 12.9 rebounds, 6.4 assists, 2.9 steals, and 1.9 blocks per game.
However, it was in the finals where the former NBA talent flaunted his all-around efficiency, outdueling his PBA rival Justin Brownlee in six grueling games.
Hollis-Jefferson played 44 minutes per game during the championship series and paid off the trust of the coaching staff with a stat line of 25.8 points, 12 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 1.7 steals in all six games.
Reyes revealed that Hollis-Jefferson is still in the US and will fly back to the Philippines on December 1, 2024, to participate in their training camp.
Still with the team are the ever-reliable veterans: Jayson Castro, Calvin Oftana, Kelly Williams, RR Pogoy, Poy Erram, Rey Nambatac, Brian Heruela, and Glenn Khobuntin.
The Tropang Giga will kick off its quest for a second consecutive title on December 6, 2024, as they face the foreign guest club Hong Kong Eastern in the second game of the scheduled doubleheader.