The TNT Tropang 5G are hitting the reset button on their import situation in the PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, but their latest move might be more of a temporary band-aid than a permanent cure.
Following a 110-107 victory over Converge at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium, team manager Jojo Lastimosa confirmed that the franchise is officially moving on from Darius Days. Stepping into his shoes is a familiar face: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, the 35-year-old older brother of TNT’s resident superstar, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The Departure of Darius Days
The writing was on the wall for Days. After flashing immense potential with back-to-back 20-point performances against Macau and Titan Ultra to open the tournament, his production inexplicably fell off a cliff.
In his final two outings against Terrafirma and Converge, Days looked entirely disconnected from the offense, managing a combined 20 points while shooting an abysmal 7-of-30 from the field. His PBA curtain call against the FiberXers yielded just 10 points on a ghastly 4-of-19 shooting clip.
Compounding his on-court struggles were external distractions. Speculation of his exit reached a boiling point when the Illawarra Hawks of Australia’s NBL publicly announced their intentions to bring him back for the 2026-27 season. With Days headed Down Under, TNT desperately needed a quick replacement to keep their title defense afloat.
The Rahlir Reality Check
Enter Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson. He is no stranger to the Tropang 5G system, having suited up for the franchise during the 2023-24 season and serving as an EASL import. He is slated to make his PBA comeback on Saturday, August 1, in a blockbuster matchup against the San Miguel Beermen at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
However, TNT fans need to temper their expectations. Rahlir is nowhere near the caliber of his younger brother, Rondae.
While Rondae is a dynamic, three-time Best Import who can single-handedly dominate both ends of the floor, Rahlir's recent overseas production raises massive red flags for a PBA reinforcement.
He arrives in the Philippines fresh off a stint with the Joensuun Kataja Basket Club in Finland’s Korisliiga. A deep dive into his European stats paints a highly concerning picture of his current offensive capabilities:
8.3 Points Per Game
37% Field Goal Shooting
4.6 Rebounds Per Game
2.1 Assists Per Game
In a league where imports are routinely expected to drop 30-point double-doubles, anchor the paint, and carry the heavy offensive workload, averaging single digits on poor efficiency in Finland is an alarming baseline.
The Short-Term Horizon
So, what is the front office's endgame here?
It is highly likely that Rahlir is simply serving as a trusted, system-literate placeholder. Because he already knows the coaching staff's playbook and is familiar with the local roster, he can instantly step onto the floor without a steep learning curve or adjustment period.
Expect the Tropang 5G to ride out their remaining August schedule with Rahlir holding down the fort. However, keeping him on the roster beyond this month feels incredibly doubtful. With the ultimate goal of defending their Governors' Cup crown—and with the hope of a fully healthy Rondae Hollis-Jefferson eventually returning to the fold—TNT is simply buying time. They will need a much heavier hitter down the stretch if they want to survive the grueling PBA playoffs, making Rahlir a temporary bridge rather than the final destination.
Related Article: PBA Import Highlights: Converge is bringing back a 50 point scorer!
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