Rondae Hollis-Jefferson awaits MRI results after foot injury in Meralco-Macau EASL thriller 

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s return trip to Manila wasn’t supposed to come this soon — nor under these circumstances.

Instead of celebrating Meralco’s narrow escape against Macau in the EASL Home and Away Season 3, the Bolts’ star import boarded an early-morning flight out of Isabela on crutches, bound for an urgent MRI on his injured right foot.

 The team was scheduled to travel later in the afternoon, but the severity of the situation pushed Hollis-Jefferson to leave ahead of everyone else, heading straight for an undisclosed hospital to determine the extent of the damage.

The injury happened in the kind of sequence that basketball players dread — a routine drive gone wrong. Midway through the third period, Hollis-Jefferson exploded to the rim and came down on the foot of 7-foot-5 Black Bears import Sam Deguara. 

The awkward landing sent him crumpling to the floor, visibly in pain. Teammates had to carry him off as he clutched his foot, the usually unshakeable three-time PBA Best Import unable to return for the remainder of the game.

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RHJ hurt his ankle. Get well soon, Rondae pic.twitter.com/MlTypnhoPf

— McBlur (@McBlur2) December 6, 2025

“We’re waiting for the MRI result and hope bugbog lang yung paa niya,” Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said, acknowledging how difficult it was for Hollis-Jefferson to even walk after the incident. 

The concern wasn’t limited to Meralco’s EASL campaign, either. 

Coach Nenad Vučinić pointed out the ripple effect the injury could have on Hollis-Jefferson’s commitments beyond the tournament. 

“We’re just praying his injury isn’t too serious and that he’ll recover for the next PBA conference since he’ll be playing for TNT and for us as well for our last game in the EASL,” Vučinić said.

Before exiting, Hollis-Jefferson had already put in a solid all-around effort: 15 points, seven rebounds, and five assists — numbers Meralco badly needed after nearly squandering a 20-point cushion. 

The Bolts still pulled off the 93–91 victory, thanks in large part to the reinforcement trio that picked up the slack. Ismael Romero continued his tear with a massive 24-point, 17-rebound performance. Iranian guard Sina Vahedi erupted for 23 points, dropping 15 in the second half to keep the Bolts afloat. 

Justin Brownlee, steady in his Meralco debut, added a 12-point, 10-rebound double-double.

The win pushed Meralco to 3–2 and into solo second in Group B, but it came with a sobering reality: their most dynamic weapon flew home before anyone else, and the team is now bracing for news that could alter not just their EASL run but also TNT’s upcoming PBA campaign.

 For now, the Bolts wait — hopeful that their do-it-all forward will dodge a major setback, yet fully aware that the final stretch of their season may hinge on the MRI results awaiting in Manila.

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