TNT Tropang Giga is racing against time as it looks for an import who will replace Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in its first few games in the Commissioner’s Cup of the Philippine Basketball Association.
Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa said Hollis-Jefferson is being hampered by a combination of acid reflux and gastroenteritis, prompting them to look for his replacement with the league set to open this Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“He’s still weak because he couldn’t take any solid food. His only food intake are fruits that need to be put in a blender,” said Lastimosa, referring to the condition of Hollis-Jefferson, who was named Best Import after leading the Tropang Giga to the Governors’ Cup title last season. “Each time he takes solid food, he would go straight to the comfort room as his stomach couldn’t bear it because of his condition.”
Hollis-Jefferson missed the Tropang Giga’s grudge match with Chiba Jets in the East Asia Super League late Wednesday at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex. TNT suffered a 66-75 decision.
With Hollis-Jefferson expecting to miss the next two weeks of action, the Tropang Giga are desperately looking for a temporary replacement.
TNT will open its campaign when it faces Magnolia in the lone match on Sunday.
“We’re looking for somebody who’s in game shape and could come in right away to play for us on a short-term basis until Rondae becomes ready,” Lastimosa said, admitting that tapping their other EASL import in Quincy Miller as temporary reinforcement is not an option.
He said Miller failed to secure a release from his previous club — Converge — after they had a falling out in his first tour of duty in the Commissioner’s Cup last year.
According to league rules, if an import wishes to play for another team, he has to either secure an outright release or wait for one full season.
“We had him measured and he made it to the 6-foot-9 height limit, but unfortunately couldn’t get a release from Converge, so we are now looking for another import,” Lastimosa said.
