THE timing is perfect for defending champion TNT as it is now at full strength heading into the PBA playoffs.
Having secured a spot in the post-season, the Tropang 5G will just simply work on their team chemistry with as they welcome the return of three-time Best Import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (RHJ) when the team battles woeful Macau on Tuesday at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in the PBA Governors’ Cup.
Game time is at 5:15 p.m.
The game against the Giant Pandas will give RHJ time to get into the system, along with Calvin Oftana, Jordan Heading and Jayson Castro, who all recently returned after being grounded due to separate injuries.
TNT enters the match carrying a 6-4 record, in a tie with Converge for Group A.
Macau has dropped out of the playoff race with its woeful 2-8 record in the same group.
Coach Chot Reyes knows the road to defending its crown won’t be easy.
“Whoever it is we will face (in the quarterfinals) it’s going to be a tough match-up,” said Reyes, whose team scored a resounding 116-98 win over San Miguel Beer last Saturday.
Hollis-Jefferson is back in harness since hurting his Achilles while playing for the Meralco Bolts in the EASL in December 2025.
He is now healthy and is raring the lead TNT back to the top of the league.
RHJ will be taking the spot of Nick Hornsby, who did a solid one-game pinch-hitting job after scoring 23 points, six rebounds, four assists, and three steals in theory domination of the Beermen.
Meanwhile the 7:30 p.m. main game features Meralco and Blackwater, two teams battling for dear playoff life.
Blackwater carries a 3-4 card and is still in control of its own playoff destiny.
The Bolts though occupy the cellar with the Ginebra Kings at 3-5, and will need to sweep their last two assignments to keep their playoff hopes alive. RICHARD DY
