TNT in search for temporary replacement for Hollis-Jefferson

Due to illness, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is not certain for Sunday’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup opening versus Magnolia. As a result, TNT has commenced an immediate search for a temporary substitute.

The Tropang Giga is urgently looking for a temporary substitute for Hollis-Jefferson, who missed their East Asia Super League home loss to the Chiba Jets due to gastroenteritis, according to Coach Jojo Lastimosa.

Lastimosa remarked, “Rondae’s been sick for a while,” following the team’s 75-66 loss at City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex. “He’s so much better now, but this is something that we did not expect.”

Lastimosa continued by saying that Quincy Miller, the other reinforcement they had utilized exclusively for the EASL campaign, had been considered as a possible sub for Hollis-Jefferson, but that Converge had refused to release him.

Miller participated in the Commissioner’s Cup for Converge last season, but his time there came to an unpleasant end when head coach Aldin Ayo benched him for one game for infractions.

“Converge won’t release me. I don’t know why,” Miller remarked.

Miller would be a suitable replacement for TNT. He finished the game against Chiba with 22 points and 13 rebounds.

With the Hotshots considered one of the favorites and having won all 11 games in the PBA On Tour a few months prior, time is crucial for the Tropang Giga, who want to start the new season on the right note.

Lastimosa stated, “It’s still iffy. We don’t know yet. But we’re going to wait for Rondae to get better, and we don’t want to put him on the floor not close to 100 percent because it might harm him in the long run.”

He continued, “So we’re doing it conservatively, bringing in another guy so we can have an import on Sunday.”