Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (center): “I need to be more focused.” —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is aware of how Philippine fans see him—a dead ringer for the late Kobe Bryant—who shares the same gung-ho type of two-way game with the NBA and LA Laker great.
The TNT import is also aware of the record and clutch performances that Barangay Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee has in the PBA, which even made one national team standout compare him to Michael Jordan.
The flattering comparisons, though, fail to take Hollis-Jefferson’s focus away from what he has to do starting at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, when the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings open their best-of-seven title series for the Governors’ Cup at Ynares Center in Antipolo.
“I think that narrative is for the fans,” Hollis-Jefferson said. “That has nothing to do with me or Justin. Justin’s Justin, I’m Rondae. But again, it gives the fans something to talk about, it gives the media something to talk about.
“Do we like the comparison? Of course, who wouldn’t? But at the end of the day, we’ll let everybody else talk about that and we’ll just play ball.”
How they play ball in the series opener will likely dictate how the series goes as TNT and Ginebra look to set in motion their quest to add another championship to their respective trophy cases.
Brownlee went undefeated in his first six title series with the Kings and has the penchant of nailing the game-winning shot, something which he has also done in his tour with the national team that center Kai Sotto declared him to be the “Michael Jordan of the Philippines.”
Big role for locals
But both imports will not be asked to do it all, as the locals will be as important.
Poy Erram is one of those needed by TNT to step up, as he comes into the series labeled as the proverbial Public Enemy No. 1 by the Ginebra faithful.
Before returning this conference from a lengthy absence due to a knee injury, Erram was last seen voicing displeasure over what he felt were below-the-belt catcalls hurled at him during the last
TNT-Ginebra Finals face-off.
For Erram, the mental aspect will also be crucial on how he can be effective for his team.
“I need to be more focused on my teammates and myself,” said Erram. “And I feel I’m more mentally ready knowing how important I am going to be in this series.”
Hollis-Jefferson, though, gave out one comparison of his own when he described Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos.
“He’s like an Asian Steph Curry,” said Hollis-Jefferson, who saw Abarrientos play firsthand in his one-year stint in the Korean Basketball League, where the Ginebra guard also played.
“I love his game because he does some fancy dribbles and pulling up from deep. So I always love his game and he adds [a] kind of flair [to Ginebra] and makes a lot of his teammates better.” INQ