Meralco and TNT Tropang Giga are facing a major roadblock after their import, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, crashed with an injury during their previous game against Macau in the East Asia Super League (EASL) over the weekend at the Capital Arena in Ilagan, Isabela.

The Bolts made the announcement on their official social media account, saying that the three-time Philippine Basketball Association Best Import awardee will miss the remainder of their EASL campaign after suffering a right Achilles tendon rapture in their 93-91 win over the Black Bears.

He suffered the injury when he landed on 7-foot-6 Sam Deguara in the third quarter. He was taken to the locker room and never returned.

Achilles tendon rapture is a serious injury that usually takes a year to heal. It’s the same injury that is a cause of concern in the National Basketball Association right now after it affected stars like Tyrese Haliburton of the Indiana Pacers, Jayson Tatum of the Boston Celtics and Damian Lillard of the Portland Trail Blazers.

“The Meralco Bolts are deeply grateful to Rondae for his contributions on and off the court. We believe in his resilience and are confident that he will overcome the challenge and return stronger,” said the Bolts, expressing serious concern on the condition of Hollis-Jefferson, who has been averaging 22.2 points in the early stretch of their EASL campaign.