Looks like TNT Tropang Giga will be left without a choice but to deploy the “other RHJ” entering the crucial stretch of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup.
TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa made the confirmation to DAILY TRIBUNE, saying that Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson will be their import after his younger brother, Rondae, suffered a neck injury that sidelined him in their 78-86 loss to Barangay Ginebra San Miguel last Monday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Rahlir will be our import,” said Lastimosa, referring to the 32-year-old forward who joined his brother Rondae in reinforcing them against the Fubon Braves in the East Asia Super League last 20 December.
The Tropang Giga are trekking an unfamiliar territory.
With only two games left in the eliminations, TNT is currently tied for seventh to eighth places with Rain or Shine with a 4-5 win-loss card. They will be facing the Elasto Painters on 5 January for a victory that will boost their chances for one of the four twice-to-beat incentives in the quarterfinals.
TNT will wrap up its elimination round campaign against Phoenix Super LPG on 14 January.
Lastimosa said they have to bid goodbye to Rondae as PBA rules bar an import from returning once he had already been replaced.
“Not according to the PBA rules,” said Lastimosa, whose team started its season with Quincy Miller before bringing in Rondae.
Lastimosa said Rondae may be a solid talent after winning the Best Import plum in the previous Governors’ Cup, but his older brother is not a bad choice.
“He’s a different player,” Lastimosa said of Rahlir, who played college ball for Temple before spending a lot of time at the National Basketball Association G League.
“Probably not as skilled as Rondae, but he’s no slouch.”
While TNT is preparing for its next game with Rahlir as import, it is also looking forward to the return of its two key players — Jason Castro and Roger Pogoy.
Castro, who missed the Tropang Giga’s Christmas Day game against Ginebra, will come back and play against Rain or Shine while Pogoy returns to action against Phoenix after being sidelined by a myocarditis heart condition.
