RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson needs all the help he can get in his quest to lead the TNT Tropang Giga to retaining the PBA Governors' Cup title.
TNT didn't have the chance to defend its title last season because the league shortened Season 48 to just two conferences to accommodate the schedule of Gilas Pilipinas.
Even so, Hollis-Jefferson returned for another tour of duty in the Commissioner's Cup, but he didn't have be the same success, his stint cut short by various injuries and had to be replaced by his brother, Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.
Now on his third tour of duty with the Tropang Giga, Rondae has been playing exceptionally well while producing his usual all-around numbers in the season opening Governor's Cup.
As much as he believes the franchise has a good chance to retain the Governors' Cup title, Team manager Jojo Lastimosa believes the prolifiv import needs a lot of help from the locals.
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"Rondae can't do it alone," admitted Lastimosa, who was the team's coach when Hollis-Jefferson led the Tropang Giga in winning the Governors' Cup championship two seasons ago over Justin Brownlee and the Barangay Ginebra Kings.
"The rest of the team needs to provide firepower," said Lastimosa, convinced Hollis-Jefferson is extra motivated to lead his team to another championship run.
"He's locked in to go all the way. We've been very good defensively as a team, but our offense needs to pick it up if we want to win the whole thing," Lastimosa observed.
On Sunday, the Tropang Giga opted to rest Hollis-Jefferson to preserve him for the playoffs.
Even without their import, TNT wrapped up its elimination round campaign with a 99-79 rout of import-less NorthPort to clinched No.1 seeding in Pool A with an 8-2 record. (RJ)
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