TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson. PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines-Rondae Hollis-Jefferson played down a disagreement with coach Jojo Lastimosa during the final minutes of TNT’s 102-90 loss to Barangay Ginebra in Game 1 of the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals.
Hollis-Jefferson and Lastimosa were seen having an exchange on the bench after the Tropang Giga import was subbed out with less than two minutes left in Sunday’s game at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
But Hollis-Jefferson insisted that everything’s fine between him and the TNT mentor.
“Me and Jojo are good,” he said. “I love the way he coaches. For me that’s just passion. I love the game, and I’m out there playing for my teammates, the organization, the fans, and it’s just tough.
“I’m the type of person, like, I don’t wanna come out until it says 0-0 on the clock. That was just emotions and passion coming out. Just basketball,” added Hollis-Jefferson.
Lastimosa also acknowledged the incident, even praising him for being a “warrior” on the court. But he explained that there’s plenty of battles ahead despite falling behind to begin the series.
“I told him we have to be smart. This is a seven-game series and what if something happens to him. And there’s a lot riding for him,” said Lastimosa.
Hollis-Jefferson turned in 30 points, 20 rebounds, five assists and two steals, well within his usual numbers.
But Hollis-Jefferson was also affected by Ginebra’s overall team play which he acknowledged as one of the reasons for the result.