MANILA – TNT Tropang Giga relied on the Hollis-Jefferson brothers as they defeated the Taipei Fubon Braves, 80-69, in the 2023-24 East Asia Super League on Wednesday night at the Sta. Rosa Sports Complex in Laguna.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson spearheaded the Tropang Giga attack with 35 points, on 11-of-24 field goal shooting, to go with 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals, and three blocks.
His elder brother Rahlir Hollls-Jefferson was also productive offensively with 22 points to go with nine rebounds, four assists, four steals, and two blocks as the Tropang Giga notched its first win in five games.
Calvin Oftana was the lone local player to hit double-digits with 15 points, while Glenn Khobuntin and Mike Tolomia combined for eight points for TNT, which were without injured gunners Roger Pogoy and Jayson Castro in the contest.
Down 17-21 after the first quarter, the Tropang Giga turned things around in the second period behind the inside and outside offense of Rondae and Rahlir as they took a 48-42 lead at the half.
The visiting Braves, on the other hand, kept the match close in the third period as they cut the deficit to 58-62, but the Tropang Giga pulled away for good in the fourth quarter as they established a double-digit lead.
“I’m just showing him (Rahlir) what he is going to have to do when he comes out here, be aggressive, be a team player, play really good defense, and be a leader,” said Rondae. “I’m just trying to show him when he steps in, that this is what we lead.”
“This is really big. So I appreciate (coach) Jolas and MVP (owner Manny V. Pangilinan) and all of those guys for allowing this to happen. Definitely, a dream come true for us,” added Rondae about him teaming up with his brother for the first time ever.
Chris Johnson led the P.League+ champions Braves with a double-double of 19 points and 20 rebounds while Filipino-American Sedrick Barefield added 15 markers. They fell to 1-3 record.
The Tropang Giga will have a lengthy break before resuming their EASL action on January 24 against the Korean Basketball League champions Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters, which is led by Filipino winger Rhenz Abando./PN
BOX SCORE:
TNT 80 – Hollis-Jefferson Ro. 35, Hollis-Jefferson Ra. 22, Oftana 15, Khobuntin 6, Tolomia 2, Ganuelas-Rosser 0, Aurin 0, Heruela 0, Galinato 0, Ponferrada 0, Cruz 0.
FUBON 69 – Johnson 19, Barefield 15, Zaytsev 10, Chen 9, Chou 5, Hung 3, Smart 3, Guinchard 3, Jian 2, Wu 0, Tseng 0.
Quarterscores: 17-21, 48-42, 62-58, 80-69.
