Game Notes: Group A – TNT Tropang Giga (0-4) vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (1-2)

Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson joins brother Rondae in EASL

December 20, 2023 – City of Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Complex, Laguna, Philippines

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Storylines:

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Will two RHJs give TNT a boost?‍

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TNT Tropang Giga signed star Rondae Hollis-Jefferson’s older brother, Rahlir, as their second EASL import after the departure of Quincy Miller. Miller signed for Japanese B.LEAGUE club Toyama Grouses after the end of TNT’s last EASL game against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters.

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Rahlir is a 32-year-old power forward who played for Temple University for four years before turning pro in 2013. He’s had multiple stints in the NBA G League, having suited up for the Delaware 87ers, Northern Arizona Suns, and Memphis Hustle. He last played in Korisliiga, the highest tier of professional basketball in Finland, for Kataja Basket Club.

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The two will look to replicate the success of another EASL brotherly duo, Jeremy and Joseph Lin of New Taipei Kings, as the RHJs hope to find TNT’s first win in EASL this season.

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Fubon look to keep Final Four hopes alive‍

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As Group A stands, the Braves are third with one win, which came at home against this week’s opponents TNT. The Braves lost to both Chiba and Anyang in October. Chiba top the group with four wins and look certain to qualify for the Final Four. However, in theory, they could still miss out if all results went against them.

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EASL Champions Week champions Jung Kwan Jang are currently at two wins with three games in hand.

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Fubon need more wins to secure their spot in the Final Four.

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Braves struggling domestically‍

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Defending P. LEAGUE+ champions Taipei Fubon Braves have not yet shown championship form this season.

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The team currently hold a 1-2 record in EASL and a mediocre 4-4 domestically.

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Outside of going 3-0 against Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers, Fubon have gone 1-4 against the rest of the league in the P. LEAGUE+.

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Will another win against TNT jumpstart the Fubon season?

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‍By the Numbers

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‍TNT Tropang Giga (Philippines – PBA)‍

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- Team History:

Founded: 1990
9 PBA Championships (1998 Centennial, 2003 All-Filipino, 2008-09 Philippine Cup, 2010-11 Philippine Cup, 2011 Commissioner’s, 2011-12 Philippine Cup, 2012-13 Philippine Cup, 2015 Commissioner’s Cup, 2021 Philippine Cup, 2023 Governors’ Cup)
22 PBA Finals appearances

- 2022-23 PBA Governors’ Cup

2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champions
Elimination Round: 10-1 record, 1^st in PBA
First on offense: scored 115.9 points per game
Playoffs: defeated Phoenix Super LPG 132-105 in quarterfinals; defeated Meralco Bolts 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Barangay Ginebra San Miguel 4-2 in Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 0-4

October 11, 2023: 93-75 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
November 1, 2023: 75-66 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
November 15, 2023: 106-97 loss against Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
December 6, 2023: 105-97 loss against Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 28.3 ppg
Rebounds: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 7.7 rpg
Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 6.7 apg
Steals: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Calvin Oftana & Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Home vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+) – December 20, 2023
Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – January 24, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: TNT went 0-2, losing to B.LEAGUE side Utsunomiya Brex and KBL side Seoul SK Knights
2019 Terrific 12: TNT went 1-1, falling to CBA side Liaoning Flying Leopards and beating B.LEAGUE side Niigata Albirex

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season record: 4-4

November 5, 2023: 110-102 loss against Magnolia Hotshots
November 11, 2023: 101-98 win over Converge FiberXers
November 22, 2023: 133-93 win over Terrafirma Dyip
November 26, 2023: 109-95 loss against Meralco Bolts
December 1, 2023: 128-123 loss against NorthPort Batang Pier
December 13, 2023: 113-97 win over NLEX Road Warriors
December 15, 2023: 105-96 win over Blackwater Bossing
December 17, 2023: 98-93 loss against San Miguel Beermen

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup Season stat leaders:

Points: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 33.4 ppg
Rebounds: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 12.0 rpg
Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 5.7 apg
Steals: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 1.3 bpg

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‍Taipei Fubon Braves (Chinese Taipei – P. LEAGUE+)‍

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- Team History:

Founded: 1982
3x P. LEAGUE+ Championships (2021, 2022, 2023)
1x SBL Championship (2019)

- 2023 P. LEAGUE+ Champions

Regular Season: 25-15 record, 2nd in P. LEAGUE+
Playoffs: defeated Taoyuan Pauian Pilots 3-0 in semifinals; defeated New Taipei Kings 4-2 in finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 1-2

October 18, 2023: 82-85 loss to Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
October 25, 2023: 98-77 loss to Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL)
November 15, 2023: 106-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

Points: Michael Singletary – 27.5 ppg
Rebounds: Michael Singletary – 14.0 rpg
Assists: Sedrick Barefield – 5.3 apg
Steals: 4 players – 2.0 spg
Blocks: Chris Johnson – 2.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

Away vs. TNT Tropang Giga (PBA) – December 20, 2023
Away vs. Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE) – December 27, 2023
Home vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (KBL) – February 7, 2024

- EASL History:

2023 EASL Champions Week: Braves went 0-2, losing to KBL side Anyang KGC and B.LEAGUE side Ryukyu Golden Kings
2018 Terrific 12 (an EASL competition): Braves went 1-1, defeating CBA side Shandong Golden Stars and losing to KBL side Seoul Samsung Thunders

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season record: 4-4

November 11, 2023: 89-96 loss against New Taipei Kings
November 12, 2023: 115-94 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
November 19, 2023: 89-86 loss against Formosa Dreamers
November 26, 2023: 99-84 win over Hsinchu Lioneers
December 2, 2023: 90-76 loss against Formosa Dreamers
December 9, 2023: 93-80 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 16, 2023: 111-104 win over Kaohsiung 17LIVE Steelers
December 17, 2023: 103-102 loss against Hsinchu Lioneers

- 2023-24 P. LEAGUE+ Season stat leaders:

Points: Igor Zaytsev – 18.6 ppg
Rebounds: Stephen Zimmerman – 11.0 rpg
Assists: Michael Singletary – 5.5 apg
Steals: Lin Chih-Chieh – 1.2 spg
Blocks: Michael Singletary & Chris Johnson – 1.0 bpg

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‍Players to Watch

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‍TNT Tropang Giga‍

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#14 Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – SF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Arizona (2013-2015)

2015 First Team All-Pac-12
2015 Pac-12 All-Defensive Team
2014 Pac-12 All-Freshman Team
2014 NCAA Tournament West Region All-Tournament Team

- Former NBA player (Brooklyn Nets, Toronto Raptors, Portland Trail Blazers)

2015 NBA Draft: 1st round, 23rd overall pick – Portland Trail Blazers
NBA career stats: 9.0 ppg, 5.5 rpg; NBA career-best season: 13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg (Brooklyn Nets – 2017-18)

- 2023 PBA Governors’ Cup Champion (TNT Tropang Giga)