Rondae Hollis-Jefferson lifts the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup trophy. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—If the stars align for TNT, coach Jojo Lastimosa would love to run it back with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
After the Tropang Giga’s title-clinching 97-93 win against Ginebra at Araneta Coliseum on Friday in the PBA Governors’ Cup Finals, Lastimosa made sure to let everybody know that Hollis-Jefferson would be on top of TNT’s list for next season’s Governors’ Cup.
“If he doesn’t get to the NBA then sure, we’d love him back,” Lastimosa said.
That is quite a big “if.”
Lastimosa revealed that the all-around star, who willed TNT to history with 29 points, 14 rebounds and six assists, has plans to return to the US in the hopes of reigniting his NBA career.
“He said he was gonna go get into a summer league team or a training camp team. He will try to get back in the NBA.”
TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson against Ginebra reinforcement Justin Brownlee. –Marlo Cueto/INQUIRER.net
Hollis-Jefferson may have stacked his credentials up even more after winning the Best Import of the Conference award for the Governors’ Cup.
The former Brooklyn Net boasts averages of 30.5 markers, 13.3 boards and 6.7 dimes per game, which could draw eyeballs of agents from the NBA.
Whichever way he goes, though, will be fully respected by Lastimosa, who could not help but jokingly jab at his import.
“I wish that he would get it but at the same time I don’t so he would come back here,” the tactician said in jest.
“But I always want him to get the best for him, which is to play in the NBA.”
Prior to Hollis-Jefferson’s emergence for TNT, Tropang Giga enjoyed the services of Jalen Hudson before making the switch midway through the elimination round.