Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines–Rondae Hollis-Jefferson will not suit up for the rest of TNT’s campaign within the PBA Commissioner’s Cup attributable to a neck injury he sustained at a recent game within the East Asia Super League.
Coach Jojo Lastimosa confirmed that Hollis-Jefferson’s older brother Rahlir will function import for the Tropang Giga’s games against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters and Phoenix Fuel Masters in January.
TNT, nevertheless, 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 occurring the conservative part and truly protecting Rondae’s profession,” TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa said after the 86-78 loss at Smart Araneta Coliseum when asked of the choice to tug out the previous NBA player.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.–MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
PBA rules prohibit Rondae from returning during the tournament since he was already brought back when he missed TNT’s season-opening loss to Magnolia attributable to an illness and inserted Quincy Miller as import.
Imports originally listed within the lineup can return just once unlike those serving as replacements.
Rondae suffered a whiplash late in TNT’s win over the Taipei Fubon Braves within the EASL last Wednesday in Sta. Rosa, Laguna and underwent some tests.
“We don’t take that frivolously. If he could get jarred again, he could re-injure that neck again,” said Lastimosa.
