TNT Tropang 5G coach Chot Reyes has set the record straight for their new import Nick Hornsby—sort of.
Shortly after Hornsby put up 26 points in a winning debut for TNT, Reyes clarified the Tropa’s import situation: the veteran journeyman is playing for the Tropang 5G only on a temporary basis in this PBA Governors’ Cup—at least until Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is officially good to go.
“He knows that Rondae is our resident import,” Reyes said after TNT’s 116-92 victory over the Terrafirma Dyip on Wednesday. “But, he had to go home because his grandmother died. And, I think he’ll be back this week. That’s why we thought that it was best for us to get a temporary import first. Nick knows that.”
Hollis-Jefferson, a three-time PBA champion, is still recovering from a torn Achilles, which he suffered playing for the Meralco Bolts in the EASL. He missed the Tropa’s title defense of the Commissioner’s Cup, which ended with Barangay Ginebra San Miguel winning the crown.
So, Will Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Play?
The elephant in the room is, of course, RHJ’s availability. Hollis-Jefferson tore his Achilles on December 6, 2025, and is now at 10 months post-surgery. Word is the three-time Best Import has ramped up his recovery and rehab and is all but ready to return to action. Even so, Reyes doesn’t have a return date in mind yet, which mean’s it’s Hornsby for now.
“The timetable for Rondae is very uncertain at this point because we all know that he came from an injury,” Reyes emphasized. “He was able to play half a game for us in our tune-ups before he left. But he’s still far from game shape. So, hopefully Nick can get us through this while Rondae is getting ready to play actual games.”
While there’s nothing definitive yet about TNT’s import situation, it is looking very likely that Hornsby is, indeed, just warming the seat, so to speak, for Hollis-Jefferson. And if the former’s debut is any indication, he just might hold the fort long enough until RHJ is fully ready.
That should be great news for Tropang 5G fans.
