PBA: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Kadeem Jack pace Best import race

TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and NorthPort’s Kadeem Jack are vying for the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Best Import. –INQUIRER FILE PHOTOS

TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and NorthPort’s Kadeem Jack are in a tight race for the Best Import award after the elimination phase of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup.

While NLEX’s Mike Watkins leads the derby with 52.7 Statistical Points, Hollis-Jefferson and Jack are considered as frontrunners for the award given to the best foreign player for their main roles in getting their respective teams the top two seeds in the quarterfinals.

Hollis-Jefferson set his bid for a third Best Import award in motion with 51.8 Statistical Points while Jack is third with 51.6 after powering NorthPort to a Cinderella run to the top of the standings in the midseason tournament.

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Magnolia’s Ricardo Ratliffe is fourth (50.1) followed by Phoenix’s Donovan Smith (47.3), Blackwater’s George Kings (47.0), Meralco’s Akil Mitchell (46.9), Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson (46.8), Converge’s Cheick Diallo (45.8) and Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee (45.2).

Despite his top billing, Watkins is unlikely to get the nod after NLEX lost to Magnolia in a playoff for the eighth and final quarterfinals berth. Watkins averaged 26.7 points and 20.8 rebounds during the campaign.

Hollis-Jefferson posted 27.7 points, 12.1 rebounds, 5.6 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks for TNT, which went 8-4 in the elims despite a 0-2 start. The Tropang Giga are eyeing a second straight title after ruling the season-opening Governors’ Cup that saw Hollis-Jefferson win the Best Import,

Jack had 31.7 points, 11.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.9 steals and 1.3 blocks as NorthPort topped the elims at 9-3, and in a position to make the semis with just one win against Magnolia in the quarters.