High price to pay
TNT will play Barangay Ginebra without an import in a PBA Commissioner’s Cup nightcap game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow but the Tropa is going all out to win, no matter what. San Miguel Beer takes on Phoenix in the opener of the Christmas Day twinbill treat for fans.
The PBA received notice yesterday that TNT will activate Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s brother Rahlir for the Ginebra game. Rahlir made his TNT debut against Taipei Fubon in the EASL last Wednesday. Rahlir is scheduled for height measurement in the PBA office tomorrow morning. But there’s a hitch. TNT head coach on-leave Chot Reyes said “the option of playing Rahlir is out because there’s no time to get his BID (Bureau of Immigration and Deportation) permit due to the holidays.”
After receiving notice from TNT, the PBA issued a memo announcing Rahlir’s activation. That means Rondae will no longer be eligible for reenlistment the rest of the conference. Rondae was TNT’s original import but he was placed on the injured list before the season began with Quincy Miller playing in his place as a replacement. Miller played a single game then Rondae took over and played seven straight contests.
In the EASL outing, Rondae and Rahlir played together, combining for 57 points and 22 rebounds as TNT notched its first win, 80-69 over the Braves in Sta. Rosa, Laguna. With 2:45 left, Rondae took a bad fall and was carried off the court. He was rushed to the Asian Hospital for confinement and observation. TNT interim head coach/team manager Jojo Lastimosa said Rondae suffered a severe whiplash and while he is now out of the hospital, will be reevaluated before cleared to play or not in two weeks.
If TNT didn’t submit Rahlir’s name to play tomorrow and will battle Ginebra without an import, Rondae would still be able to play the Tropa’s next game against Rain or Shine on Jan. 5, assuming he secures his medical clearance. But with the circulation of the PBA’s memo, Rondae is out for the season. Under PBA rules, an original import may be reactivated only once from the injured list. TNT has the option to appeal since Rondae didn’t play a game as an original import. The PBA said Rahlir was issued a Special Working
