Meralco Bolts dedicate win over Terrafirma to injured superstar Rondae Hollis-Jefferson

The Meralco Bolts have endured an up-and-down start to the ongoing 2025 PBA Philippine Cup, splitting their first eight games for a 4–4 record that places them seventh in the standings.

But the Bolts strengthened their bid for a quarterfinal berth after blasting the Terrafirma Dyip, 120–87, on Wednesday, December 10, at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

The win was Meralco’s first game without star import Rondae Hollis-Jefferson, who suffered an Achilles injury during their East Asia Super League (EASL) Home and Away Season 3 matchup against the Macau Black Bears over the weekend in Ilagan, Isabela.

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CJ Cansino, returning from a sprained ankle, stepped up with 20 points and dedicated the victory to Hollis-Jefferson, with whom he has formed a strong connection.

BOLT UP ⚡

CJ Cansino and the Meralco Bolts return to the winning column after dominating the Terrafirma Dyip by 33 big points in the PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup eliminations!#PBA50 #PBA50LID pic.twitter.com/9WNgKCZczI

— One Sports (@OneSportsPHL) December 10, 2025

“Si RHJ kasi as a teammate, ibang klase. So we are dedicating this game and ‘yong upcoming game namin to him. Kasi sobrang laking factor na nakasama namin suya sa EASL. ‘Yong pagiging teammate niya sa’min is iba. Kaya siguro siya tinawatawag na Kobe lefty,” Cansino said in the post-match press conference.

Despite Hollis-Jefferson suiting up for only seven EASL games, the Bolts insist the bond they’ve built with the three-time PBA Best Import is already unshakeable.

Head coach Luigi Trillo echoed the team’s sentiments, emphasizing that the entire EASL campaign will be played in Hollis-Jefferson’s honor and that the organization remains fully committed to supporting him through recovery.

“He had some words. Our EASL tournament will be for him as well. We will dedicate it for him. That’s not only for me, but the whole Meralco organization. Rondae has been a class act and you don’t want to see a good guy come down like that. We are also his family, his EASL family. We believe in him and I think he will be back in less than a year. We are there for him. Meralco’s there for him,” Trillo said.

Hollis-Jefferson’s absence presents a major challenge for Meralco, which must now move quickly to secure a replacement import for both the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup.

The Bolts close out their Philippine Cup elimination round with matchups against the Phoenix Fuel Masters, Converge FiberXers, and San Miguel.

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