BY MICHAEL JUGADO
REIGNING best import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of defending champion TNT had nothing but admiration for Ginebra counterpart Justin Brownlee.
“First, I want to say I’m still not over that loss, Gilas versus Jordan,” Hollis-Jefferson jokingly said yesterday, recalling Jordan’s defeat to Gilas Pilipinas in last year’s Hangzhou Asian Games.
“But on a serious note, I think he’s a phenomenal player. I think he’s an even better person. I’m sure his teammates, his coach, and anyone who’s been around him can attest to that.
“I’m a competitor at the end of the day. I look forward to every time we match up against each other. We’re going to give our all. We’re going to work hard. We’re going to make it exciting. Something to look forward to at the end of the day,” he added.
Hollis-Jefferson spoke during the PBA Governors’ Cup finals press conference at the Atrium inside the Enderun College in Taguig.
Brownlee had his own glowing words to Hollis-Jefferson, who beat him in the same edition of the meet last year.
“He’s tough. Thank you for the words, RHJ. The feeling is mutual. He’s an incredible competitor. A great player,” the 6-foot-5 Brownlee said.
“Throughout his professional career and amateur career, he’s been great. I got a lot of praise from him in that regard.”
The opening match of the best-of-7 series is set for this Sunday, Oct. 27, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.
For Brownlee, the Kings are raring to regain lost glory in the conference they usually rule.
“We’re gonna come in and just try our best. We’ve been working hard. It’s just been building up to this point. We feel very confident where we’re at. We know it’s going to be tough with TNT and coach Chot (Reyes),” he said.
“We know he’s going to have those guys ready. We’re just waiting for a hard-fought series and trying to do what we can to come out on top.”
Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson might be exchanging pleasantries off the court but expect them to bring their A-Game when they take to the hardwood.