It’s business as usual for Rondae

TNT head coach Chot Reyes is not really worried about import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson losing his explosiveness during the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup semifinals.

The naturalized Jordanian reinforcement and a devout Muslim will observe Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, reflection and community for the followers of Islam.

It will begin by the end of February, falling in the opening stretch of the best-of-seven semis series against Converge/Rain or Shine.

“Well, he’s used to it. I think it’s worse if he fast because it would be more distracting for him. He’s used to it,” Reyes said.

“Hopefully, it would give him a lot more clarity and focus.”

The two-time Best Import has allayed fears of his performance dipping after abstaining from consuming food and drinks from dawn to sunset during Islam’s holy month.

In fact, he embraces the challenge of leading the Tropang Giga while observing his duties to his faith.

“I look forward to it. And I embrace it. And as a Muslim, that’s what we’re supposed to do. Nothing’s gonna change, it’s the same motto,” he said.

For the former National Basketball Association dribbler, playing during Ramadan is nothing new to him.

“I played during Ramadan a couple of times. And I look forward to it,” he said.

Despite his observance of Ramadan during the whole stretch of the playoffs, Hollis-Jefferson powered TNT into winning the 2023 Governors’ Cup in his first PBA stint.

The TNT import shares that he knows his body well and it only takes a week for him to adjust.

“I try to really exert myself the first week to kind of like get my body adjusted, to get acclimated and feeling how I feel. Not having much water in my system. Later on the day, you talk about 4 o’clock, 5 o’clock and you’re almost there and you’re almost able to drink but you can’t,” he said.

“Those are the moments you really want to try to see and exert yourself and push yourself to the next level.”

Reyes, however, is just concerned with Hollis-Jefferson needing to do lots of sprinting against the run-and-gun style of the Tropang Giga’s opponent.

“They love to run and will surely make it a running game. That’s something for us to address,” the mentor said.