Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is finally in action again after 10 months of recovering from an Achilles tear, although his return may feel quite incomplete for some.
Because at least in the ongoing PBA Season 50 Governors’ Cup, one of his toughest adversaries won’t be around to welcome him: Justin Brownlee.
As nice as it is to see the three-time Best Import with TNT once more, one of the league’s marquee matchups in recent years won’t be happening anytime soon, with Barangay Ginebra’s resident import still recovering from injuries.
“If that’s what the outcome is, then that’s what the outcome is,” offered ‘RHJ’ moments after he and the Tropang 5G blasted Macau at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium for the reigning champions’ third straight win in the conference.
Hollis-Jefferson last played in the PBA back on March 28. 2025, or in Game 7 of their Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup Finals series against the Kings.
The former NBA pro and the Tropang 5G came out on top by way of an 87-83 overtime decision, but not before witnessing ‘JB’ and the crowd darlings in easily one of the best championship games to take place in the PBA.
It enabled Hollis-Jefferson to snare his third league title but more than getting another one, his respect and admiration toward Brownlee only grew bigger.
And for a change, the two would see themselves teaming up for the first time ever when Meralco signed both stars for the 2025-26 East Asia Super League.
They played their first official game together on December 6 last year in Isabela, with the Bolts topping Macau, 93-91, with the tandem delivering solidly.
Hollis-Jefferson came through with 15 points, seven assists, and four rebounds, while Brownlee chipped in 12 points, 10 rebounds, and six assists as the two wingers showed their versatility despite being with a different team.
But it was also in that same game where the Pennsylvania native got injured, suffering the unfortunate injury midway into the second half.
“It’s crazy, actually. My rookie year, I broke my ankle on December 7th, 2015. And then I tore my Achilles on December 6, 2025,” the former Brooklyn Net said.
“So 10 years later. And that was pretty tough. So when I’m 40, don’t ask me to play in December,” he added jokingly, drawing laughter from press people.
Hollis-Jefferson is also among those who cannot help but wonder about the potential he and Brownlee could have had playing alongside one another.
“We all know how I feel about Justin. Love his game, love him as a person. It’s sad it got cut short, that we got to play together with Meralco. I’m sure you guys got a glimpse of that,” he said. “It looked good, it looked good.”
But now that he’s back, Hollis-Jefferson has his sights entirely on helping the flagship MVP franchise, which hasn’t won a championship since he got hurt.
“I wish him well on his journey, or whatever he’s going through. But, yeah, it’s about TNT and what we prepare for,” said the Arizona product.
For now, it’s about trying to get back to his old form, admitting that he’s still in the process of regaining his game shape after being out for a long while.
Even if he finished with 22 points on 10-of-22 shooting from the field, six rebounds, five assists, and a pair of steals—all without committing a turnover in 22 minutes of action, Hollis-Jefferson said that there’s plenty of work still.
“I’m still trying to get it,” he said. “That was the game for that, to kinda gauge myself, see where I’m at. I’ve been training really hard; anybody that’s been around will tell you that. I’ve been dealing with a lot of personal stuff, but when I get into basketball mode, I try to stay focused on basketball and give it my all.
“I thought that it would translate, but there’s nothing like when you’re there in the game; it’s a different feel, a different type of endurance. I felt like I played 40 minutes, and it was only 22,” he added with a chuckle.
