NEXT: A rematch between Justin Brownlee and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

But that will not happen in the PBA, but in the 19th Asian Games beginning Sept. 23.

Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson will cross swords once more when Gilas Pilipinas and Jordan collide in the the group stage of the prestigious competition in Hangzhou, China.
Date of the battle is Sept. 30.

He’s an incredible player. I was just telling one of the guys, I don’t know why he’s not in NBA. With his talent and skill set, he definitely seemed like he should be in NBA,” said Brownlee during Gilas Pilipinas’ open practice at the PhilSports Arena in Pasig City last Monday.

“It’s gonna be great. Playing against him is an honor,and it’s really gonna be tough “ added Brownlee, who gave way to NBA “Sixth Man of the Year” awardee Jordan Clarkson as the Philippines’ naturalized player in the FIBA World Cup 2023.

A six-time PBA champion with crowd favorite Barangay Ginebra, the 35-year-old Brownlee said he was impressed by Hollis-Jefferson’s performance as Jordan’s naturalized player in the World Cup.

Hollis-Jefferson is best remembered for his 39-point performance in his FIBA World Cup game for Jordan, which eventually lost to heavy favorite New Zealand, 87-95, in overtime. Filipino fans even showered him with “Kobe” chants during his strong showing.

Hollis-Jefferson’s TNT coach, Jojo Lastimosa, was impressed by his all-around game.

“I’m not surprised that he has become an impact player for his team. He can affect a team in so many ways. He has proven that to us and he’s been continuously doing that and bringing that“same attitude to Jordan,” Lastimosa told former People’s Tonight sportswriter Rey Joble.

Hollis-Jefferson and Brownlee who was named as PBA Best Import in 2018, 2021 and 2022, and squared off in the 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup.

Hollis-Jefferson, who was selected as No. 23 overall by the Portland Trailblazers during the 2015 NBA Draft, took Best Import of the Conference honor and led TNT Tropang Giga to the champonship with a 4-2 series victory over Ginebra and Brownlee.

The 28-year-old Hollis-Jefferson averaged 30.4 points, 12.4 rebounds and 6.5 assists in 16 games for the Tropang Giga.

Backing up Brownlee for the new-look Gilas Pilipinas team in the Asian Games are six-time PBA MVP June Mar Fajardo, Japeth Aguilar, Calvin Abueva, Terrence Romeo, Chris Newsome, Calvin Oftana and Jason Perkins.

The Philippines and Jordsan are bracketed with Bahrain and Thailand. in Group C in the Asian Games.

The Tim Cone-mentored Filipinos will play Bahrain on Sept. 26 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre; Thailand on Sept. 28 at the Zhejiang University Zijingang gymnasium; and Jordan on Sept. 30 at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Centre again.

The other participating countries are Iran, Kazakhstan, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates in Group A; host China, Lebanon, Taipei and Mongolia in Group B; and Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Qatar in Group D.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Robert Andaya