April 02, 2025

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Leading TNT’s PBA dynasty push

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson: Leading TNT’s PBA dynasty push
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is now. three-time champion and three-time Best Import after first coming to the PBA in 2023. Art by Mitzi Solano. Photo by RM Chua/One Sports

Since arriving in the PBA in 2023, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has become the heart of TNT Tropang Giga’s championship resurgence, turning the franchise back into a powerhouse and cementing himself as one of the league’s all-time great imports.

In just three seasons, RHJ has led TNT to three titles, winning Best Import honors each time, tying him with Justin Brownlee and Allen Durham for the second-most Best Import awards in PBA history.

Hollis-Jefferson’s PBA journey began during the 2023 Governors’ Cup, when TNT brought him in as a mid-conference replacement for Jalen Hudson.

Despite joining the team midstream, RHJ immediately made an impact, leading TNT to the top seed before powering them past Phoenix in the quarterfinals and Meralco in the semis.

In the Finals, he went head-to-head with Justin Brownlee and Barangay Ginebra, starting one of the great import matchups in PBA history.

Hollis-Jefferson delivered a dominant six-game series win to capture TNT’s first Governors’ Cup title and their first championship with an import since 2015.

Injuries hampered his next campaign in the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup, limiting him to just seven games. However, a fully fit RHJ returned for the Season 49 Governors’ Cup, once again steering TNT to the top seed.

He led the Tropang Giga past NLEX in the quarterfinals and Rain or Shine in the semifinals, setting up another championship showdown with Brownlee and Ginebra.

Just like in 2023, Hollis-Jefferson and TNT took down their rivals in six games, securing back-to-back Governors’ Cup crowns while RHJ claimed his second Best Import award.

The dominance didn’t stop there. In the Season 49 Commissioner’s Cup, RHJ continued to shine, guiding TNT to the no. 2 seed before knocking out Hong Kong Eastern in the quarterfinals and Rain or Shine in the semis.

This all set up a third consecutive Finals battle against Ginebra and Brownlee, where Hollis-Jefferson overcame a hamstring injury to push TNT to a Game 7 victory, sealing his third championship and third Best Import trophy.

In just three seasons, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has established himself as one of the most impactful imports in PBA history.

With TNT now on a Grand Slam chase, albeit the third act without the super import, RHJ’s legacy is still being written—but his place among the league’s greats is already secured.

 

 


[Editor's note: This article was generated by a member of the One Sports Digital team using AI, and then checked by the staff to ensure accuracy.]

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