PBA: RHJ gets the edge over Aaron Fuller in first showdown

TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson puts up a shot against Rain or Shine’s Aaron Fuller during the PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals Game 1. –PBA IMAGES

MANILA, Philippines—For the first time in the PBA Governors’ Cup, TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson had a taste of competition against Rain or Shine import Aaron Fuller.

With the group phase format in effect for the import-laden conference, RHJ and Fuller were unable to face off during the double-round robin elimination round.

Until Wednesday.

“I think whenever you find a post presence who has a motor, it’s definitely going to be challenging,” said Hollis-Jefferson at Philsports Arena.

SCHEDULE: 2024 PBA Governors’ Cup semifinals

“He’s relentless in getting to the basket, getting offensive rebounds and helping his team so you have to give a lot of credit to him and his mentality.”

Hollis-Jefferson and Fuller went on a heavyweight bout that saw the Tropang Giga outlast the Elasto Painters, 90-81.

The resident TNT import almost recorded a triple-double with 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists, including a clutch four-pointer in the final minute of the game that kept Rain or Shine at bay.

Fuller certainly didn’t make it easy for the 2023 PBA Governors Cup’s Best Import as he proved to be no pushover with 18 points and 21 rebounds.

READ: PBA: TNT, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson beat Rain or Shine in semis opener

With three or possibly four, five, six more games of going up against Fuller, Hollis-Jefferson has a plan in limiting Rain or Shine’s dominant import.

And he’ll be needing his fellow Tropang Giga swingmen to accomplish that plan.

“We’ll keep the mindset of doing things as a team and doing it together. We’ll have our brothers’ backs out there and we should be good,” said RHJ.

“On the other end, we have to make him guard, too… We know it’s not a one-man show, we know it’s a team effort and that’s something we’ve always preached no matter who the import is so I have to give credit to everyone for the team effort.”

TNT shoots for a 2-0 lead on Friday at Araneta Coliseum.