Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (middle): “I have to be extra targeted.” —AUGUST DELA CRUZ
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is conscious of how Philippine followers see him—a lifeless ringer for the late Kobe Bryant—who shares the identical gung-ho kind of two-way recreation with the NBA and LA Laker nice.
The TNT import can also be conscious of the document and clutch performances that Barangay Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee has within the PBA, which even made one nationwide staff standout examine him to Michael Jordan.
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The flattering comparisons, although, fail to take Hollis-Jefferson’s focus away from what he has to do beginning at 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, when the Tropang Giga and the Gin Kings open their best-of-seven title collection for the Governors’ Cup at Ynares Middle in Antipolo.
“I believe that narrative is for the followers,” Hollis-Jefferson mentioned. “That has nothing to do with me or Justin. Justin’s Justin, I’m Rondae. However once more, it provides the followers one thing to speak about, it provides the media one thing to speak about.
“Can we just like the comparability? In fact, who wouldn’t? However on the finish of the day, we’ll let everyone else discuss that and we’ll simply play ball.”
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How they play ball within the collection opener will seemingly dictate how the collection goes as TNT and Ginebra look to set in movement their quest so as to add one other championship to their respective trophy instances.
Brownlee went undefeated in his first six title collection with the Kings and has the penchant of nailing the game-winning shot, one thing which he has additionally executed in his tour with the nationwide staff that middle Kai Sotto declared him to be the “Michael Jordan of the Philippines.”
Massive position for locals
However each imports won’t be requested to do all of it, because the locals shall be as essential.
Poy Erram is a type of wanted by TNT to step up, as he comes into the collection labeled because the proverbial Public Enemy No. 1 by the Ginebra devoted.
Earlier than returning this convention from a prolonged absence as a result of a knee harm, Erram was final seen voicing displeasure over what he felt had been below-the-belt catcalls hurled at him over the past
TNT-Ginebra Finals face-off.
For Erram, the psychological side may even be essential on how he may be efficient for his staff.
“I have to be extra targeted on my teammates and myself,” mentioned Erram. “And I really feel I’m extra mentally prepared realizing how essential I’m going to be on this collection.”
Hollis-Jefferson, although, gave out one comparability of his personal when he described Ginebra rookie RJ Abarrientos.
“He’s like an Asian Steph Curry,” mentioned Hollis-Jefferson, who noticed Abarrientos play firsthand in his one-year stint within the Korean Basketball League, the place the Ginebra guard additionally performed.
“I really like his recreation as a result of he does some fancy dribbles and pulling up from deep. So I at all times love his recreation and he provides [a] type of aptitude [to Ginebra] and makes lots of his teammates higher.” INQ
