TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson looks to score as four Ginebra players surround him during Game 5 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.–PBA IMAGES
MANILA, Philippines—TNT import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson called spade a spade when he spoke about his offensive struggles against Barangay Ginebra in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals.
Hollis-Jefferson admitted to having a tough time against the Gin Kings’ stifling defense anchored by Stephen Holt.
“[Stephen] Holt has been doing a really good job defending me so I have to watch some films and see how I can win that matchup,” he said after the Tropang Giga’s 73-66 loss in Game 5 on Sunday.
READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra, TNT seeking resolve to get things done
“I’d say he made it tough for me for the whole series but I also made it tough for myself. I’m thinking about it too much so I’ll go back to the drawing board and see them in Game 6.”
Hollis-Jefferson led TNT with 19 points and 12 rebounds but was inefficient from the field hitting just seven of his 26 attempts in a game where he only got a 58-second rest.
Game 5 marked the second straight time that the newly-minted three-time Best Import was held under 20 points after he was shut down by Ginebra to just 14 points in Game 4 where TNT also fell, 95-78.
In that game, the former NBA veteran made only five of his 18 tries from the field including 0-of-4 from long distance.
READ: PBA Finals: Ginebra grinds out Game 5 win vs TNT, nears title
For the series, Hollis Jefferson is shooting just 36 percent from the field. He also hasn’t found his stroke from the outside where he’s gone 1-of-19 through five games.
Despite his shooting woes, Hollis-Jefferson knows he can still redeem himself and help TNT extend the series to a deciding Game 7.
“Chot (Reyes) said it best, it’s about our mentality heading into those crucial moments… It’s about being locked in for 48 minutes.”
The three-time Best Import awardee looks to power TNT one more time on Wednesday for Game 6 as the Tropang Giga try to stay alive in the same venue.
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