I’M BACK!: Hollis-Jefferson makes TNT return as playoffs near

Games today:

(Ninoy Aquino Stadium)

5:15 p.m. -- Macau vs TNT

7:30 p.m. -- Meralco vs Blackwater

The cavalry has arrived for defending champion TNT.

After a long wait, prized import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is set to suit up for the Tropang 5G when they take on limping Macau in the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Season 50 Governors’ Cup today at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.

TNT activated Hollis-Jefferson on Monday to replace Nick Hornsby, who played just two games after taking the spot of Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.

The three-time Best Import winner will get to join a nearly complete Tropang 5G in the 5:15 p.m. curtain-raiser.

Hollis-Jefferson’s return is another welcome development for TNT after some of its key players have already recovered from injuries and rejoined the team.

Hornsby, who averaged 24.5 points, helped the Tropang 5G win back-to-back games, including a 116-98 victory over San Miguel Beer last Saturday to secure a quarterfinals berth.

TNT holds a 6-4 win-loss slate tied with Converge in third to fourth in Group A behind NLEX (8-2) and the Beermen (7-3).

Erstwhile sidelined players Calvin Oftana and Jayson Castro have already seen action while Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Kim Aurin are also expected to return ahead of the Tropang 5G’s campaign in the next round.

“The guys are coming back slowly. We didn’t have Calvin at the start, now he’s back. We didn’t have Jayson, now Jayson’s back. I think we’re just reaping the benefits of having a full roster,” head coach Chot Reyes said.

With just two games left in pool play, TNT is looking to secure a favorable seeding and build momentum for the crossover quarters.

“Whoever it is we face in the quarterfinals, it’s going to be a tough match-up. So, we really have to take advantage of these games to sharpen, that’s number one, and also to get the other guys back,” Reyes said.

“Whoever that is that we’ll take on the other side is not gonna be easy. So, we just have to use this to continue sharpening our game.”

The Tropang 5G is thrilled to welcome Hollis-Jefferson, the former Best Import awardee who led the franchise to the Governors’ Cup titles in 2023 and 2024.

“After recovering from injury, RHJ is ready to rejoin the TNT Tropang 5G, bringing back his leadership, versatility, and competitive drive as the team continues its campaign in the PBA Governors’ Cup,” the squad said in a social media post.

“As RHJ returns to the lineup, TNT extends its sincere appreciation to Darius Days, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson, and Nick Hornsby for their contributions to the team.”

Hollis-Jefferson last played for TNT in the 2024-2025 Commissioner’s Cup. He sustained a ruptured right Achilles tendon while playing as an import for Meralco in the East Asia Super League last December.

The also-ran Giant Pandas have lost four straight games, the last three via huge blowouts.

Macau, which is playing with just nine players, shares a 2-8 card with Titan Ultra at the bottom of the standings.

Meanwhile, Meralco and Blackwater faceoff in a must-win showdown in the quarters race in Group B at 7:30 p.m.