New TNT import Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—Rain or Shine and TNT’s battle in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup may have ended on a sour note but the Elasto Painters gave credit where credit is due, particularly for Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.
In his debut as an import for the Tropang Giga, the older Hollis-Jefferson poured in a monster double-double to the tune of 50 points and 16 rebounds.
TNT may have lost, 119-112, but Rain or Shine made sure to acknowledge Rahlir’s scintillating debut for coach Jojo Lastimosa.
“Their import played really well and had an excellent game. I was kind of surprised that, playing in his first game in the PBA, he was well-adjusted,” said coach Yeng Guiao at Araneta Coliseum on Friday.
“Of course, I know that he’s been playing with TNT in the EASL but still, that’s a great performance.”
The praise for Rahlir was surprising, considering that the Elasto Painters and his older brother Rondae almost came to blows in the dying seconds of the game.
‘DI KO ALAM ANO’NG NANGYARI SA KANIYA’
WATCH: Coach Yeng Guiao vents his ire on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s antics in the fourth quarter, marching to the Rain or Shine bench in the dying minutes of the game. | @MeloFuertesINQ pic.twitter.com/nVDXGNBUmw
— INQUIRER Sports (@INQUIRERSports) January 5, 2024
Still, all that animosity was thrown out of the window by the end of the game, as Rain or Shine import Demetrius Treadwell also tipped his hat to the debuting big man.
“He can play. We let him get comfortable early, make him get shots and make tough ones early. When a scorer starts to see the ball go in the basket like that, it’s going to be a long night. He made us pay in every opportunity so hats off to him, he had a hell of a game,” said Treadwell after finishing with 25 points and 24 boards in the dub.
While having to match up with Rahlir’s 50-piece was a chore, Guiao admittedly said that he wouldn’t have it any other way. After all, he expects more performances like that come playoff time in two weeks.
“It’s good for us to learn to win games like these. They’re a young team. We need more games like this to toughen us up. We’re just trying to get ourselves prepared for the playoffs.”