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TNT Tropang Giga vs Chiba Jets in EASL. – CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
As if retiring three top players wasn’t enough, TNT must now race against time to find a temporary replacement for import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
The Tropang Giga are set for an opening match against Magnolia on Sunday when the PBA (Philippine Basketball Association) Commissioner’s Cup kicks off, but they have yet to sign an interim reinforcement after Quincy Miller, the team’s other import in the East . Asia Super League did not get a release from Converge.
“Converge won’t let me go,” Miller, who scored 22 points and grabbed 13 rebounds in a 75-66 loss to the Chiba Jets in City of Sta. Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex Wednesday evening, said. “I do not know why.”
Miller would have been a worthy replacement for Hollis-Jefferson, who has been dealing with gastroenteritis since joining the team camp at the Inspire Sports Academy in Calamba, Laguna.
The 6-foot-1 American is a threat inside and out and at one point had the FiberXers at the top of the rankings in the last Commissioner’s Cup. But an unpublicized misconduct prompted coach Aldin Ayo to eject him in an elimination round game that ultimately produced a late swoon that ended with Converge ultimately being swept in the quarterfinals by the San Miguel Beermen.
Manpower problems
Miller averaged 29.9 points, 15.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.9 steals and 2.9 blocks in last season’s Commissioner’s Cup for the FiberXers.
The Inquirer tried to get the side of a Converge team official, but there was no response as of press time.
Interestingly, Converge is fielding New Zealand native Tom Vodanovich for the season 48 opening conference. Vodanovich had a one-match stint for the FiberXers in the Governors’ Cup last season. With opening day just a few days away, the Tropang Giga has no updates yet, adding to the manpower issues the team is currently facing. TNT will have to make do without top local Mikey Williams, who has not yet signed a contract, RR Pogoy, who is out due to a heart condition, and Poy Erram, who is recovering from surgery.
“Nothing yet,” Lastimosa said when the Inquirer asked about any new developments on their import situation.
“Quincy would be our No. 1 option to be the replacement, but apparently his rights still lie with Converge,” Lastimosa said.
The Tropang Giga were left with just one import in Miller as they fell to Japan’s B.League, going 0-2 in the international tournament, while suffering a 93-75 defeat in Japan almost a month ago.
Regardless of which importer shows up on Sunday, TNT wants to make sure Hollis-Jefferson’s condition is a priority.
Flat start
“We are going to wait for Rondae to get better and we don’t want to put him on the ground 100 percent because this could harm him in the long term,” Lastimosa said. “So we’ll be conservative and bring in another man so we can import on Sunday.”
Lastimosa lamented TNT’s flat start, which made a big difference in not avenging the road loss, as a Miller-led second-half battle, which saw the Tropang Giga twice cut the lead to five, never gathered enough momentum.
TNT’s local players did have some moments, with Jaydee Tungcab, usually tasked with the role of second- or third-string guard in the PBA, being the only player outside of Miller in double figures with 10.
Calvin Oftana played his first game since winning the Asian Games gold for Gilas Pilipinas and scored eight points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, but committed six turnovers. But Lastimosa insists Oftana is far from reaching peak form and will have to pick up his rhythm.