PBA: Quincy Miller temporarily fills in for Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at TNT

Quincy Miller will play as TNT import to start the PBA Commissioner’s Cup while Rondae Hollis-Jefferson continues his recovery from gastroenteritis. –EASL PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines–Quincy Miller will suit up as temporary replacement for ailing import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson when TNT plays Magnolia to open the PBA Commissioner’s Cup on Sunday at Smart Araneta Coliseum.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa said the Tropang Giga and Miller were able to secure a release from the Converge FiberXers, who had held his rights after playing in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup.

Miller was initially clueless as to why Converge had yet to release him, but it appeared that the two teams were able to come to terms amicably.

The Tropang Giga were able to beat the 12 noon deadline mandated by the league for teams to submit a replacement, if needed, on the eve of their scheduled games.

TNT can now heave a sigh of relief with Miller, originally tapped as its second foreign player in the East Asia Super League, taking the place of Hollis-Jefferson on a temporary basis.

Hollis-Jefferson remains unavailable for the Tropang Giga after dealing with gastroenteritis during the team’s training camp in Calamba, Laguna.

One big factor for TNT is Miller’s familiarity, especially after playing twice in the EASL, both against Japan’s Chiba Jets.

He averaged 22.0 points, 9.5 rebounds and 2.0 assists in the first two games of the Tropang Giga’s EASL foray.