PBA: Meralco looking for ways to stop Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

Meralco coach Norman Black. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines–Meralco coach Norman Black will look to find a defensive strategy to at least neutralize TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson when it tries to even out their PBA Governors’ Cup semifinal series on Sunday at Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

Black said after the 110-80 defeat that Hollis-Jefferson poses a pair of problems for the Bolts, not just with how he can score but with the way he distributes the ball to his Tropang Giga teammates.

“We have to figure out what he’s doing, offensively,” Black said. “Because it’s not just his scoring, it’s the fact that he’s facilitating for his teammates. He’s getting his teammates wide-open shots [and] offensive penetrations.

“We have to figure out how we’re gonna help defensively against him and how we can control their outside shooting at the same time,” he added.

Hollis-Jefferson posted a triple-double with 22 points, 13 rebounds and 12 assists while adding two steals and two blocks.

TNT defenders swarm Meralco import KJ McDaniels. –PBA IMAGES

The Meralco mentor also felt his import KJ McDaniels must do more to contain Hollis-Jefferson. McDaniels also had an off-night on the offensive end with just 12 points on 5-of-16 shooting.

“That’s a challenge to KJ,” Black said. “He’s up against a tough import and he has to raise his game for us to have success in this series because the kid (Hollis-Jefferson) seems pretty good.”

Meralco is eager to avoid falling on the brink of elimination and turn the semis into a best-of-three affair.