TNT has done great work with Jalen Hudson as import.
Obviously, Hudson's performance is not enough to prevent the Tropang Giga from replacing him with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson in time for the match against the skidding Blackwater Bossing Wednesday in the PBA Governors Cup at the MOA Arena.
TNT is looking to notch a fourth straight win that would give it a 6-1 record overall and is the odds-on favorite to prevail over a Blackwater crew which has lost four straight and totes a 1-5 slate overall.
The Tropa reportedly decided to tap Hollis-Jefferson since the 220lb forward could provide more of the inside threat that Hudson lacks, notwithstanding the latter's averages of 33.8 points, 9.3 rebounds and 4.1 assists in the six games he has seen action in.
The Blackwater game should offer a glimpse of how well Hollis-Jefferson, a first round pick by the Brooklyn Nets in 2015 and also had brief stints with the Toronto Raptors Portland Trailblazers, could live up to expectations.
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Admittedly, the Bossing have some concerns of their own regarding import Troy Williams, who has proven himself to be a prolific scorer by averaging 47.5 points on top of 13.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists in the two games he has played in thus far.
But the former NBA campaigner out of Indiana has not only taken 66 shots to reach his total but has committed nine turnovers in the games against Terrafirma and Rain or Shine, making coach Ariel Vanguardia question the 28-year-old's decision-making.
"Gustong mag-take charge pero mali naman kung minsan," said Vanguardia. "May spurts na effective... pero mga pang-kick out kailangan ma-recognize niya kasi ginawa ng Rain or Shine dino-double- or triple-team na siya. Hindi niya nakita 'yung mga dapat kick-out na lang niya."
Still, Vanguardia is not giving up on the man they tapped to replace original choice Shawn Glover, more so in this tough stretch that has Blackwater also being ranged against Barangay Ginebra on Sunday and another top-echelon team in Converge four days later.
"Ipinakita namin sa video mga ginawa niya and fast learner naman siya. We also told him na this is a very tough stretch so kailangan may teamwork," said Vanguardia, adding his team is also trying to address another problem after giving up 47 free throws in a five-point loss to the Elasto Painters last Sunday.
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"Ikinatalo namin masyado kaming maraming ginive-up na free throws kaya dapat i-recognize namin 'yung playing hard without fouling," offered Vanguardia. (NC)
