Entering the 2023 PBA Governors Cup Finals, TNT only lost once with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson as its import — a 117-124 overtime defeat at the hands of sister team Meralco to open the semis series.
Yes, the Tropang Giga have been close to being untouchable since they replaced Jalen Hudson last February 15.
But on Easter Sunday, Hollis-Jefferson experienced his toughest loss to date in the PBA.
Two-time defending Govs’ Cup champion Ginebra basically schooled TNT in a game that it led for almost the entirety of the contest, taking a 102-90 victory to draw first blood in the best-of-seven series.
But with a minute and 55 seconds left in the game and the Kings up 99-87, Tropang Giga head coach Jojo Lastimosa decided to wave the white flag, pulling out Hollis-Jefferson, Calvin Oftana, and Roger Pogoy.
Hollis-Jefferson was caught on camera expressing his dismay, thinking that a comeback was still possible.
Moments after the game, the former NBA pro cleared the air that the action he showed was not because he was frustrated with anyone from the Tropang Giga.
“Me and Jojo (Lastimosa) are good. Me and Jojo are good. I love the way he coaches.
“For me, that’s just passion. I love the game, and I’m out there playing for my teammates, the organization, the fans, and it’s just tough,” said the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
“I’m the type of person, like, I don’t wanna come out until it says 0-0 on the clock. That was just emotions and passion coming out. Just basketball,” he continued.
Lastimosa, on the other hand, perfectly understands Hollis-Jefferson, saying that his competitive nature led him to have a brief outburst.
“He didn’t want to come out. He’s a warrior. Hats off to him. He doesn’t want to come out, kaya niya daw, he will die on the floor basta nandoon siya,” said one of the 25 greatest players to play in the PBA.
“But I told him we have to be smart. This is a seven-game series, what if something happens to you? He doesn’t understand that part that it’s a lot riding for him – that you can’t win a series by winning Game 1. There’s a lot of games to be played and he needs to understand that.”
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The 2023 PBA Governors Cup Finals is live-streamed on SMART Sports.
