TNT coach Jojo Lastimosa is aware of Rondae Hollis-Jefferson's bid for an NBA comeback.
But he's always welcome to comeback with the Tropang Giga if ever things won't panned out.
"If he doesn't get to the NBA, then sure, we'd love him back," said Lastimosa of the Best Import awardee who steered the TNT franchise to its first ever PBA Governors' Cup championship over the weekend.
Hollis-Jefferson, 28, also loves the idea of returning to TNT and becoming its resident import following the success he had right in his first tour of duty with the team.
But at the same time, he also made known his plan of trying to make it back in the NBA, where he previously played for six seasons for teams Brooklyn, Toronto, and Portland.
Sponsored content:
"I'm definitely taking another shot at the NBA, so we'll see how it all unfolds," said the import.
Hollis-Jefferson joins a select few imports who steered TNT to a PBA championship in a list that included Paul Harris, Ivan Johnson, and the pair of Silas Mills and Tee McClary.
The first round pick of the 2015 NBA draft has endeared himself to the Tropang Giga with his smooth plays and calm demeanor despite coming in as a mid-conference replacement for high-scoring Jalen Hudson.
And helping the Tropang Giga overcome a team as talented and experienced as Ginebra in a best-of-seven title series is certainly a testament to Hollis-Jefferson's leadership ability.
No wonder Lastimosa has mixed emotions about the import's plan of making an NBA return.
Sponsored content:
"I wish he would get it, but at the same time, I don't, so he would come back here," said the 59-year-old mentor in jest.
Kidding aside though, Lastimosa wants nothing but for Hollis-Jefferson to achieve his goal.
"I always want him to get the best for him, which is to play in the NBA," he added. (RG)
