Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is confident that TNT can complete a historic PBA Grand Slam in his absence

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson has established himself as one of the greatest imports in Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) history and without doubt the best player currently on the TNT Tropang Giga roster. 

Hollis-Jefferson is not part of TNT’s roster for the ongoing PBA Philippine Cup as the competition is purely an All-Filipino Conference. The 30-year-old was in attendance in Game 1 of the Philippine Cup finals at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Sunday, July 13, where TNT managed to hold on and secure a 99-96 victory despite squandering a 24-point lead to the San Miguel Beermen.

The former National Basketball Association (NBA) star spoke to the media after the game, where he confidently stated that Tropang Giga can win that elusive Grand Slam even in his absence. “I believe we can win, with or without me,” Hollis-Jefferson said.

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson on hand to watch TNT’s Game 1 opener against San Miguel Beer in the PBA Philippine Cup Finals.

RHJ has been touring around the country for a series of basketball camps organized by the team #PBAFinals @INQUIRERSports pic.twitter.com/Y8xXFLgwYW

— Jonas Terrado (@jonasterradoINQ) July 13, 2025

The statement by Hollis-Jefferson is certainly a humble one considering that the superstar was the key reason why TNT has won three of the last five conferences they have participated in, including the current season’s Governors’ Cup and Commissioner’s Cup titles – keeping them in the hunt for the Grand Slam of PBA titles.

While the American-Jordanian star is not playing, the presence of Jordan Heading and Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser has certainly helped patch up a TNT squad that has been dealing with injuries to several core players.

“Their seeing how I prepare and how much I care, how much I give my all, I think that has rubbed off on these guys. Being banged up, wanting to win, I think it shows with these moments of getting grind-out wins,” he added.

Hollis-Jefferson has been in the Philippines since last month as part of the “RHJ On Tour” training camps to inspire aspiring athletes across the Philippines. The “RHJ On Tour” kicked off on June 7 in Quezon City and will continue in various locations until the end of July.”

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