TNT is preparing to bring Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson into play for the last two games of the PBA Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup elimination round this coming January.
This decision was revealed by Head Coach Jojo Lastimosa, as Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, Rahlir’s brother, is still recovering from a neck injury he sustained during a game against Taipei Fubon in an East Asia Super League match in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
“Rahlir, his brother, will be stepping in,” Lastimosa announced after their 86-78 loss to Ginebra on Christmas Day at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. Due to the club’s decision, Rondae is no longer eligible to return to the conference as per PBA rules, which state that an import can only be replaced once.
Originally, TNT had chosen the former NBA player as their first choice for the tilt. However, they had to start the season with ex-EASL import Quincy Miller against Magnolia, as Rondae was unfit to play due to gastroenteritis at that time.
Rondae was brought back immediately after the game against the Hotshots, but his stint was abruptly ended due to his severe injury. “He’s very fragile,” Lastimosa expressed concern. “He cannot turn his neck and I talked to the doctor yesterday. Injuries involving the spinal cord should not be taken lightly because even if he feels no pain, it’s a physical game.”
Rondae’s participation in their EASL home game against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang on January 24 at the Philsports Arena is also uncertain. “Rondae might not be ready to return by our EASL game on January 24,” Lastimosa added. “So we might have to play with one import.”
The decision to not search for a better import and instead activate Rahlir could be seen as a sign of financial constraints within TNT. They had previously let go of Quincy Miller, their second import for the EASL tournament, as he received a better offer from another league. Now, instead of investing in a new import, they are choosing to utilize an existing player, Rahlir.
This could indicate a potential budget issue within TNT, as securing high-quality imports often requires significant financial investment. However, it’s also possible that this decision is driven by other factors such as team strategy or player development.
Regardless, these recent moves by TNT certainly warrant further observation and analysis. It remains to be seen how these decisions will impact the team’s performance in the upcoming games and beyond.
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