TRUE-BLUE pro league fans should savor the rivalry between Ginebra star import Justin Brownlee and TNT counterpart Rondae-Hollis Jefferson—while it lasts.
“I think just the idea of continuity and these guys being in the league and knowing the league, being able to fit well with their respective teams. RHJ has just brought a tremendous mentality to the TNT team. He shows up at every game. He shows up every quarter, every possession and inspires his teammates and he could just see it on the floor all the time,” Kings coach Tim Cone said.
“For Justin, it’s that comfortability that we have with him, the confidence that we have in him, knowing he’s going to show up at big moments, just being a great teammate.
“Just being one of the guys and never asking for special treatment, never asking really for anything, and just two special players,” he added.
Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson will try to guide their squads to the Promised Land anew when the Tropang Giga collide with the Kings in the best-of-7 PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals.
Game 1 of the third straight race-to-4 showdown pitting the two teams is set for tomorrow, Friday, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mall of Asia Arena in Pasay.
Cone said Asia’s pioneering pro league is fortunate to witness battles between the 6-foot-5 Brownlee, a winner of six PBA titles and three best import plums. Hollis-Jefferson has two crowns and the same number of top reinforcement awards.
“We’re lucky at this time right now in the PBA to be able to witness these two guys go at each other and these are momentous times,” Cone said.
“I think when we look back ten years from now, you know, we’re going to be remembering these times when the rivalry was big between Justin and RHJ.”
The 6-foot-6 Hollis-Jefferson welcomed another duel with Brownlee and Ginebra.
“I’m looking forward to it. I think he’s excellent. I think he’s a phenomenal player. I didn’t get to play against Jamie (Malonzo) last time. They added (Jeremiah) Gray as well,” he said. “So, they’ve got a couple of different pieces that I feel like they play really well together.
“So, I’m looking forward to going against him. You guys are something to look forward to.”
Who gets the better of this modern-day rivalry between two endeared imports will be known after a couple of games.
