MANILA, Philippines — Mataas ang respeto nina TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at Ginebra reinforcement Justin Brownlee sa isa’t isa.
Kaya naman asahan ang mas matinding bakbakan sa oras na magkrus ang kanilang landas sa Game 1 ng PBA Governors’ Cup best-of-seven championship series bukas sa Antipolo City.
Mataas ang moral ng 29-anyos na si Hollis-Jefferson matapos talunin ng Tropang Giga ang Gin Kings sa pamamagitan ng 4-2 desisyon sa finals noong 2023 Governors’ Cup.
Sa naturang kumperensiya rin itinanghal na Best Import si Hollis-Jefferson na siya ring naturalized player ng Jordan.
Nakabawi si Brownlee nang talunin ng Gilas Pilipinas ang Jordan sa gold-medal match ng 2023 Asian Games sa Hangzhou, China.
“I’m still not over with that loss with Jordan,” ani Hollis-Jefferson.
Saludo si Hollis-Jefferson kay Brownlee na tunay na hinahangaan ng karamihan dahil sa talento nito.
“He’s phenomenal and a better person I’m sure for his teammates, his coaches, and to anyone who he’s been around could attest to that,” ani Hollis-Jefferson.
Sa kabilang banda, mataas din ang respeto ni Brownlee kay Hollis-Jefferson.
“The feeling is mutual. He’s an incredible competitor. He’s a great player throughout his amateur career and as a pro. With the series, we don’t come in. We try to work hard,” ani Brownlee.
Hawak ni Brownlee ang averages na 28.32 points, 9.21 rebounds, 5.79 assists, 1.58 steals at 1.47 blocks.
“I’m excited with what the younger guys have been doing. We know it’s gonna be tough with TNT and coach Chot (Reyes). He’s gonna have his guys ready, and have a hard fought series. We hope we can come out on top,” ani Brownlee.