By MARK REY MONTEJO
TNT’s Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is definitely used to the hating and booing of the fans since his college days and up to the world’s biggest basketball league, the NBA.
One thing is for sure: it motivates him.
Playing for two straight 48-minute games for the Tropang Giga, Hollis-Jefferson was unbothered despite the noise from the rowdy crowd in the best-of-seven Finals series against the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings.
“There’s not much to talk about. They paid money and came to watch us play, they decided to boo, I love it!” said Hollis-Jefferson, who finished with 24 points, 14 rebounds, seven assists, and four steals in TNT’s 85-73 loss to Ginebra in Games 3 Friday evening, Nov. 2.
“It means they are getting their money’s worth… I look forward to the next game,” he added.
Like his idol, the late great Kobe Bryant, RHJ dismissed all distractions, especially coming from the avid fans of the well-loved franchise club on Philippine soil.
“That just gives me energy and it feels good,” he continued. “Not the slightest, I’m laughing this off.”
Despite RHJ’s all-around effort, TNT suffered its first loss in the series as Ginebra displayed a defensive masterclass that cut the deficit to 2-1.
