TNT made a surprise move last weekend.
Despite carrying a 5-1 record for a share of first, the Tropang Giga have replaced Jalen Hudson for Rondae Hollis Jefferson.
The development was first reported by SPIN.PH and confirmed to Tiebreaker Times by TNT head coach Jojo Lastimosa.
According to Lastimosa, bringing in Hollis-Jefferson was not part of the plan. However, having a player of his caliber was too hard to resist.
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“Before the conference, our original plan was to bring in KJ McDaniels,” Lastimosa told Tiebreaker Times. However, McDaniels ended up in Meralco.
“So we wanted an import who is of the same caliber as KJ. Last weekend, we found out that RHJ was here so we consulted with our staff – including Coach Chot (Reyes) – if we should bring him in. Everyone made the decision to do so.”
Hollis-Jefferson was the 23rd overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft.
He was in the big league from 2015-21, making stops in Brooklyn, Toronto, and Portland.
In 2021, he played for BSN’s Atleticos de San German and Turkey’s Besiktas Icrypex before settling with KBL team Jeonju KCC.
He played 38 games for the Egis, averaging 10.05 points, 3.84 rebounds, and 1.03 assists.
However, KCC decided to release Hollis-Jefferson last Friday, citing that he had “an insincere attitude” during their last two games.
When Hollis-Jefferson arrived, Lastimosa made sure to have a talk with Hudson.
Hudson is averaging 33.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 4.2 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.5 blocks per game.
(C) PBA Images
“When RHJ arrived, I met with Hudson to tell him that we are replacing him. Of course, he was disappointed but he appreciated that we went to him first instead of him knowing about it elsewhere,” said Lastimosa.
With Hollis-Jefferson, Lastimosa now has the luxury of sliding the likes of Calvin Oftana, Paul Varilla, and Glenn Khobuntin back to their natural positions.
“Jalen is more of a wing that is why we had to play Calvin, Paul, and Glenn at the four. With RHJ, we have someone who can be a post presence and defend bigs,” said Lastimosa.
TNT is still waiting on Hollis-Jefferson to gain his letter of clearance.
If his LOC does not make it by Wednesday, Hudson will still suit up against Blackwater on Wednesday.
Regarding the EASL Champions Week, TNT is rushing against time for Hollis-Jefferson to gain an entertainment visa to enter Japan.
“If his visa does not make it, we might bring Jalen to the EASL if he is still here.”
