December 22, 2024

‘All about Rondae’: Rey Nambatac credits TNT import Hollis-Jefferson for PBA Finals lead

‘All about Rondae’: Rey Nambatac credits TNT import Hollis-Jefferson for PBA Finals lead
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson toys with a triple-double in the Game 2 win for TNT. | Photo (c) RM Chua/One Sports

Everything hinges on Rondae Hollis-Jefferson for TNT in the ongoing PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup Finals.

Rey Nambatac had this to say after the Tropang Giga hammered out a 96-84 win over Ginebra in Game 2 for a 2-0 lead in the best-of-seven series on Wednesday, October 30.

“The way we are playing in this Finals series, parang it’s all about Rondae eh. If Rondae started to play well both on offense and defense, most likely kaming mga locals talagang mahahawa sa kanya,” said Nambatac shortly after the match at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

[RELATED STORY: Three-time PBA Best Import Allen Durham closes PBA chapter, looks to return to Japan]

Indeed, RHJ, frontrunner for the Best Import award, is doing everything for the Tropang Giga.

In Game 2, he flirted with a triple-double with 37 points in six triples, 13 rebounds, and seven assists without taking a rest. 

RHJ also had a steal and a block in an all-around game that had fans thinking whether Ginebra will figure out how the former Brooklyn Net can be stopped.

His herculean effort on both ends of the floor only fired up Nambatac and the rest of TNT to put up the same intensity.

“Naging motivated kami kasi kita nyo naman nagpapakamatay talaga si RHJ eh. Mahihiya kaming 'di maglaro nang maayos eh,” Nambatac said.

[ALSO READ: Jayson Castro sees RJ Abarrientos dominating point guard position: 'Maraming pahihirapan’]

RR Pogoy shared the same sentiment.

“Mahiya ka na lang talaga kung ikaw 'yung kasama ni Rondae na hindi ka dedepensa. Kaya dun kami malakas sa depensa kasi dahil din kay Rondae,” Pogoy told One Sports.

But the job is not done for the Tropang Giga.

While they enjoy a 2-0 lead now, the Tropang Giga expect Ginebra to come out swinging in Game 3 on Friday, November 1 at the same venue.

“Job’s not done. 2-0 is just 2-0, numbers lang yan unless mag 4-0. Pero as of now it’s just 2-0. We all know Ginebra kung paano yan bumawi,” said Nambatac.

[ALSO READ: Scottie Thompson hopes Ginebra’s 'Never Say Die' spirit will be on full display in Game 3 vs TNT]

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