RONDAE Hollis-Jefferson endeared himself to basketball-loving Filipino fans when he first saw action for TNT in last year’s PBA Governors’ Cup, in the FIBA World Cup, and Hangzhou Asian Games for Jordan.
That would likely change now.
Hollis-Jefferson was slapped a P20,000 fine by Commissioner Willie Marcial yesterday after engaging Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao in a word war in the Tropang Giga’s 112-119 loss last week.
The PBA Commissioner’s Office cracked the whip on Hollis-Jefferson after he charged at the Elasto Painters’ bench in the final 49.0 ticks of the highly emotional duel.
Hollis-Jefferson went bananas and contested the technical foul called on his older brother and replacement Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson.
But that move also lit up the fire on Guiao since Rondae-Hollis-Jefferson was behind the Painters’ bench, leading to an exchange of words.
Rondae Hollis-Jefferson apologized for his actions and promised he won’t do it again after meeting with Marcial last Tuesday.
Guiao was not spared and slapped a P10,000 fine for flashing a dirty finger at Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.
“I didn’t go to their bench, I was talking to the ref. The last game I came to, against Ginebra, I was told to get out of the bench because I’m not on the roster. Therefore, I am a fan,” Rondae Hollis-Jefferson said in defending his action.
“As a fan, I can move about where I want. I was upset at the ref’s call, so I followed the ref down the sideline. The ref will tell you.”
“As a fan, I went to the ref. One as a fan, and two that’s my brother. I could be biased whatever, but I went to the ref to say that was BS.”
Will Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who was ruled out of the season-opening tourney due to a neck injury, get a chance to redeem himself and gain a call-up from TNT anew next season?
