PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s brother to fill in as TNT import

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will no longer suit up for the remainder of TNT’s campaign in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup due to a neck injury he sustained at a recent game in the East Asia Super League.

Coach Jojo Lastimosa confirmed that Hollis-Jefferson’s older brother Rahlir will serve as import for the Tropang Giga’s games against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Fuel Masters in January.

TNT, however, couldn’t activate Rahlir in time for its Christmas Day defeat to Barangay Ginebra and was forced to play with an all-Filipino lineup.

“We’re going on the conservative part and actually protecting Rondae’s career,” TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said after the 86-78 loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum when asked of the decision to pull out the former NBA player.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

PBA rules prohibit Rondae from returning for the duration of the tournament since he was already brought back when he missed TNT’s season-opening loss to Magnolia due to an illness and inserted Quincy Miller as import.

Imports originally listed in the lineup can return only once unlike those serving as replacements.

Rondae suffered a whiplash late in TNT’s win over the Taipei Fubon Braves in the EASL last Wednesday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and underwent some tests.

“We don’t take that lightly. If he could get jarred again, he could re-injure that neck again,” said Lastimosa.