TNT hopes a familiar face in Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson could address the team’s import woes as the Tropang 5G try to find ways to defend its PBA Governors’ Cup crown this year.
Head coach Chot Reyes said former Houston Rockets forward Darius Days, the team’s import through its first four games in the tournament, was just a shell of his old self.
“Darius is not the Darius Days that we had two years ago,” said Reyes during the post-game presser after guard Rey Nambatac sank the game-winning triple to lift the undermanned TNT team to a pulsating 110-107 win against Converge last Wednesday.
“He’s completely overweight, out of shape and I think it shows in his game and it affects the play of our locals.”
The Tropang 5G carry an even 2-2 card as they play without injured Calvin Oftana, Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser and Jaysom Castro. Also, veteran Kelly Williams has not played in the ongoing conference as he went to the US to attend to some personal matters.
Days was a picture of disappointment indeed, finishing with just 10 points on a 4-of-19 shooting last Wednesday as Nambatac carried the scoring load for TNT and finished with a conference-high 30 points.
Rahlir, brother of three-time PBA Best Import Rondae, will make his Governors’ Cup debut on Saturday against powerhouse San Miguel Beer at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
The 35-year-old standout from Temple is coming off a stint with Kataja in Finland’s pro league. He also played in Taiwan previously.
Rahlir last saw action for TNT in the 2023-24 Commissioner’s Cup after Rondae went down with an injury.
The Tropang 5G, however, expects Rondae to reinforce the team by October when the Governors’ Cup resumes following a long break to give way to the Asian Games slated in September in Nagoya, Japan.
Rondae, who led TNT to three PBA titles, is still recovering from an Achilles injury while playing for Meralco in the East Asia Super League last December.
