Miller, RHJ team up in TNT’s EASL campaign

MANILA, Philippines — Quincy Miller will provide the firepower for the TNT Tropang Giga as they gear up for next month’s East Asia Super League opener.

Miller, who averaged 29.8 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 2.9 blocks for Converge in the last PBA Commissioner’s Cup, will team up with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

But the 6-foot-10 Miller will have to man the fort while Hollis-Jefferson is away spearheading Jordan’s campaign in the Asian Games in Hangzhou, China from Sept. 23 to Oct. 8.

“Nag-umpisa na kami mag-practice last week pero pa-konti-konti lang, not full practices, especially now na-move ang PBA opening sa Nov. 5,” TNT team manager and interim coach Jojo Lastimosa said.

Reigning PBA Governors’ Cup champ TNT is grouped with Korean titlist Anyang, Chiba Jets of Japan and Taipei Fubon Braves in the EASL.

Hollis-Jefferson, who earned raves for his Kobe-esque performance during the FIBA World Cup here, visited his TNT teammates at the gym before rejoining his Jordanian brothers in their Asiad buildup.

RHJ and Jordan are set to face off with Justin Brownlee and Gilas Pilipinas in a pivotal Group C duel in the Hangzhou meet.

“Walang problema sa amin, trabaho lang ‘yun. Desisyon niya na maging naturalized sa Jordan so okay lang ‘yun,” Lastimosa said of Hollis-Jefferson playing for Gilas’ opposition.

“Hopefully, malaglag sila para makarating siya nang maaga dito,” Lastimosa said with a smile. “Pero sabi niya tatalunin niya raw ang Gilas.”

Aside from the Governors’ Cup Best Import awardee, TNT’s local stars RR Pogoy and Calvin Oftana are also bound for the Asiad under the Gilas banner, leaving them out of the early part of the Tropang Giga’s EASL preparations.