ANTIPOLO, Philippines – Even in a PBA conference that featured no height limit for imports, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson still proved to be the finest.
The former NBA player captured his third Best Import award on Friday, March 21, after a stellar campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup that saw him guide TNT to the finals for the second straight conference and third overall.
He averaged 28.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.9 steals, and 1.8 blocks in 18 games through the semifinals as he earned a crack at winning his third championship with the Tropang Giga.
The Best Import in the past two editions of the Governors’ Cup, Hollis-Jefferson remained just as deadly, leading TNT to an 8-4 record in the elimination round for the second seed, a quarterfinal rout of guest team Eastern, and a swift 4-1 win over Rain or Shine in the semifinals.
Hollis-Jefferson pulled level with Barangay Ginebra rival Justin Brownlee and former Meralco reinforcement Allen Durham for second-most Best Import plums in PBA history.
Only the late Bobby Parks, whom the award is named after, has more with seven Best Import wins.
NorthPort’s Kadeem Jack came second in the Best Import battle as the Batang Pier clinched the top seed for the first time and reached the semifinals for just the third time in franchise history.
Jack chalked up 31.8 points, 10.7 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.8 steals, and 1.2 blocks.
Brownlee and Rain or Shine’s Deon Thompson also finished as finalists for the award.
Playing in his 12th conference, Brownlee powered the Gin Kings to the finals for the ninth time behind averages of 23.3 points, 8.9 rebounds, 4.8 assists, and 1.0 steal.
Meanwhile, Thompson put up 24.8 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.5 blocks, and 1.2 steals as the Elasto Painters appeared in the semifinals for the third straight conference. – Rappler.com