Painters hard-pressed to stop Tropang Giga's Hollis-Jefferson

MANILA, Philippines -- The production of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is a “problem that needs a solution,” Rain or Shine Elasto Painters head coach Yeng Guiao said, as they try to bounce back in their best-of-seven PBA Governors' Cup semifinal series opener loss against the TNT Tropang Giga.

Hollis-Jefferson, the reigning Best Import of the PBA Governors’ Cup, filled up the statsheet in TNT’s 90-81 win over Rain or Shine on Wednesday.
The lefty import had a near triple-double of 26 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists to go with five steals and four blocks.

Guiao, after the game, said that the production of Hollis-Jefferson is “an issue.”

“Of course that’s an issue, that’s a problem, na kailangan naming solusyonan,” he said.

“We have to find a way to prevent him from having to play off his man and help out in the other areas. Kailangan talaga threat lahat. Tignan muna namin yung video,” he added.

The Elasto Painters were within striking distance late in the game, being down by just seven.

However, Hollis-Jefferson punched in a huge 4-point play that Guiao described as “backbreaking" to push the lead to 11, 90-79, with less than two minutes remaining. 

Despite this, the coach raved about the team’s ability to keep Hollis-Jefferson at just 40% shooting from the field.

“To limit RHJ to under 40% scoring, that’s already an accomplishment. Yun lang masyado siyang may freedom na to play off his man, nakakatulong siya sa double team, nakakatulong siya sa rebound, sa pag-gamble ng steals,” he said.

“Pero masaya kami sa percentage na binigay namin sa kaniya. Hindi mo naman mapipigilan sa scoring yun e, i-score pa rin yun. Ang usapan lang diyan is kung ano yung efficiency rate niya. Mababa yung efficiency rate niya.”

Rain or Shine will try to equalize the series in Game 2 on Friday, 5 p.m., at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.