Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is expected to have an inspired performance when TNT Tropang Giga battles Barangay Ginebra in Game 4 of the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioner’s Cup best-of-seven finals series on Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Hollis-Jefferson said his mother — Rylanda — will be coming over to see him in action as the Tropang Giga shoot for a comfortable 3-1 cushion against the Kings, who are expected to miss the services of import Justin Brownlee.
The Jordanian-American swingman is coming off an impressive performance after dropping 20 points and 11 rebounds to power TNT to a thrilling 87-85 win in Game 3 last Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.
“My mom’s coming Friday. It’s her first time coming to see me play abroad so, I’m looking forward to that,” the 30-year-old Hollis-Jefferson said.
“She lands at six in the morning, Friday so it’ll be a long travel day. You know, just her seeing me compete, it’s a great feeling.”
“Hopefully we make her proud. She’s flying from Philadelphia to San Francisco then San Francisco to Manila.”
Despite the Kings displaying signs of vulnerability with Brownlee still doubtful due to a dislocated finger that he sustained in the third quarter of Game 3, Hollis-Jefferson plans to go all out knowing that their foes are at their best when their backs are against the wall.
In fact, he also ran wild when he suffered a nasty cut under his eye in the third period of the high-emotional encounter.
“It’s cool. It’s part of basketball. Stuff happens,” Hollis-Jefferson said.
“It wasn’t intentional.”