The imports’ impact in these PBA Commissioner’s Cup semis cannot be emphasized enough. After all, this tournament is “reinforced,” and a super reinforcement can mean the difference between champion or bust.
By that metric, then the TNT Tropang Giga should be considered the favorites against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters because they have two-time champ and back-to-back PBA Governors’ Cup Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson leading the way. But Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson just might be the import Yeng Guiao needs to push his young team over the hump.
Deon Thompson Tests the Relentless RHJ
RHJ, a.k.a. Lefty Kobe, is by all accounts the frontrunner for Best Import this conference with all-around numbers of 27.9 points, 12.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, 2.2 steals, and 1.7 blocks. He is also shooting a PBA career-high 41.3% from downtown, showing an evolving offensive arsenal to go along his ferocious, relentless defense.
Thompson’s numbers—23.1 points, 13.6 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks—are a bit more modest. In fact, he is the lowest scoring import among the final four. But like Kadeem Jack to the NorthPort Batang Pier, Thompson looks like the perfect fit for the Elasto Painters: a talented and experienced big. The 6-foot-8 American-Ivorian not only fills Rain or Shine’s pressing need for a big to anchor the defense and control the glass but also gives the team a steady and reliable scorer on the low block.
What’s more, Thompson has completely taken over for Rain or Shine, playing arguably his best two games this conference in the Elasto Painters’ decisive wins over the Converge FiberXers: a 28-point, 18-rebound, 7-assist bounce back in Game 2 of the quarters and a 34-point, 12-rebound, 7-assist tour de force to clinch the series. In both games, Thompson also hit clutch baskets down the stretch, helping Rain or Shine fend off Converge’s repeated rallies.
Who Has the Edge—Deon Thompson or Rondae Hollis-Jefferson?
Yeng Guiao’s description of Thompson being underrated couldn’t be more true. The 36-year-old has been largely under the radar all conference long, doing his job without little fanfare outside the Rain or Shine fanbase. It wouldn’t be a surprise then if pundits dismiss his matchup with Hollis-Jefferson as being decidedly in favor of the two-time Best Import.
Given what he’s accomplished in the PBA, it is fair to give the edge to RHJ. But this matchup might not be as one-sided as some might think. Sure, Hollis-Jefferson has the NBA pedigree and is ahead in terms of PBA experience, but Thompson also has a wealth of hoops experience to tap into as he has been playing in tough international leagues since 2011.
Thompson isn’t just a token journeyman either. He’s a former Slovenian Cup MVP and twice made the All-German League Team. He’s also a proven winner, having won championships in Slovenia, Germany, Israel, Serbia, and Lithuania. That wealth of experience is probably why Thompson didn’t look rattled at all down the stretch in those two wins against Converge in the quarters.
Does this mean Deon Thompson will get the better of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in a seven-game series? Maybe, maybe not. What this means is that the 36-year-old Rain or Shine reinforcement can at least play it even with RHJ—enough to maybe turn the series into a battle of the locals.
