Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra are determined to beat TNT Tropang Giga in their third straight PBA finals encounter in the Commissioner’s Cup that starts on Friday & Rondae Hollis-Jefferson aims to help TNT Tropang Giga in reasserting its mastery over Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series.  PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY OF PBA
HOOPS

Fireworks loom in Justin-Rondae trilogy

Mark Escarlote

The Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) lifted height restrictions on imports for the mid-season Commissioner’s Cup, paving the way for towering reinforcements to flock the field.

But in the end, it’s still the pair of familiar 6-foot-6 faces left standing to duke it out for the title.

Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee and TNT Tropang Giga’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson go at it for the third time in five conferences for another exciting best-of-seven championship series exploding today at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Both highly motivated competitors who go above and beyond for their respective teams, the Brownlee-Hollis-Jefferson trilogy promises another epic rivalry between the two of the most talented reinforcements in the league.

“Just two special players. We’re lucky that this time right now in the PBA, we’re able to witness these two guys go at each other,” Kings head coach Tim Cone said.

“These are momentous times. I think when we look back 10 years from now, we’re going to remember these times when the rivalry was big between Justin and RHJ,” Cone added.

Hollis-Jefferson holds a 2-0 championship head-to-head edge over his three-time Best Import counterpart after capturing the 2023 Governors’ Cup and this season’s edition of the tournament just a few months back.

The naturalized Jordanian has also edged Brownlee twice in the highest individual award for foreign guest players.

“I’m looking forward to it. I think he’s an excellent and he’s a phenomenal player,” Hollis-Jefferson said of his matchup with Brownlee.

“Going against him, it will be a great competitive match that you guys can look forward to.”

Brownlee, on the other hand, shares the same high respect for his rival.