There’s no other way to say this: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s torn Achilles is a huge blow to the TNT Tropang 5G’s campaigns in the upcoming PBA Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups.
The 30-year-old former NBA player is a super import, and his presence in any import-laden conference gives TNT a very real shot at winning the ‘chip. The results speak for themselves, in fact, as the Tropa, with RHJ in the lineup, won the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup in Season 49—both at the expense of Barangay Ginebra San Miguel and Justin Brownlee, himself a super import who hadn’t lost in the PBA Finals until he met RHJ.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson Might Be Irreplaceable
This isn’t to say TNT will be bottom-dwellers in the reinforced tournaments. Chot Reyes has a roster full of talented players with championship pedigree, from Calvin Oftana to RR Pogoy to the returning Jason Castro. The Tropa also have the budget, reach, and machinery to find an equally superb import.
But let’s face it: reinforcements like Rondae Hollis-Jefferson aren’t exactly a dime a dozen. Yes, there are plenty of skilled, athletic hoopers out there. Very few, though, combine physical tools with the intangibles quite like Hollis-Jefferson.
Put simply, RHJ isn’t just talented. He’s a Swiss Army knife who can do it all and on both sides of the floor. He’s also extremely coachable and hardworking—and, from all accounts, an unbelievable teammate. He’s a leader as well, the kind of tone-setter that changes a team’s culture and gets everyone in line. Hyperbole aside, he just might be the embodiment of a perfect import.
PBA, Fans Are Big Losers Too
It’s pretty clear TNT is the biggest loser here. Rondae Hollis-Jefferson gave TNT a rare two-way imported talent: rim protection, rebounding, perimeter versatility, and out-of-nowhere transition offense. Losing him doesn’t just remove a star import—it strips the Tropa of a multi-dimensional foundation around which their championship defense was being built.
Just the same, fans and the PBA itself stand to lose out, too, with RHJ potentially sidelined the entire Season 50. That’s because the league and its fans will be stripped of that rare chance of watching NBA-caliber talent plying his trade in local shores. There have been good imports in recent years, and there’s no doubt other teams—even TNT—will find great ones in the next two conferences.
That being said, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is in a class by himself, and Filipino hoops in general lucked out when he became TNT’s resident import because it meant fans could get to see what real NBA talent looks like. Even better, RHJ is, by all accounts, a man of the people—likable, approachable, and Justin Brownlee-esque in his humility and willingness to mingle with fans. That he agreed to reinforce the Meralco Bolts in the EASL, where he ultimately sustained his season-ending injury, is further proof that he really is committed not just to TNT but to moving the needle of Filipino hoops.
Put simply, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson meant a lot not only to the TNT Tropang 5G, but also to fans and the PBA itself. Even Ginebra fans, in fact, can only tip their hats to the former Brooklyn Net because of his talent, graciousness, and humility. Losing him this season, in one of his prime years no less, is truly unfortunate.
Needless to say, we at Rebanse are one with fans in hoping for Rondae’s speedy recovery.
