This is the third installment in the epic Rondae Hollis-Jefferson-Justin Brownlee saga.
The last time Rondae Hollis-Jefferson and Justin Brownlee met in a game that had everything at stake, the latter ended up getting a gold medal around his neck.
That was a year ago, when Brownlee steered Gilas Pilipinas to their first Asian Games gold in over six decades.
That match saw the former Brooklyn Net put up only 24 points on 8-of-29 shooting from the field or 28% against the naturalized Filipino.
“I’m still not over that loss,” RHJ said in jest on Thursday, October 24.
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He had nothing but praise for Brownlee, who had his name etched in Philippine basketball lore forever with the Asian Games conquest.
“On a serious note, I think he’s a phenomenal player. I think he’s an even better person. I think his teammates, coaches, and anyone who’s been around him can attest to that,” he said.
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But at least in Asia’s oldest professional league, RHJ has Brownlee’s number.
In the beloved Ginebra import’s seven trips to the Finals, he only lost once--incidentally--against Hollis-Jefferson.
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Now a little over a year after the Asian Games, the two former Best Imports face anew in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals between the TNT Tropang Giga and the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Since the Hangzhou, China debacle, Hollis-Jefferson has yearned for the day they meet again in a high-stakes match.
He will have his shot now in the finale which begins on Sunday, October 27 at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.
“I’m a competitor at the end of the day so I look forward to every time we match up against each other,” he said.
“We’re gonna give our all, we’re gonna work hard, we’re gonna make it exciting. Something to look forward to at the end of the day.”
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