Game Notes: Group A – TNT Tropang Giga (1-4) vs. Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (2-2)

January 24, 2024 – PhilSports Arena, Manila, Philippines

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Storylines:

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1. Win and they’re in‍

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Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters are holding onto second place in the Group A standings with a 2-2 record.

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With two games remaining, the reigning KBL and EASL Champions Week winners need one more victory to secure the last Final Four spot. B.LEAGUE side Chiba Jets have already won the group with a perfect 6-0 record.

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Unfortunately for Jung Kwan Jang, wins have been hard to come by lately.  The team has won just five games across all competitions since November 24.

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Jung Kwan Jang controls their destiny. They go through if they win just one of their remaining two EASL games.

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However, if they lose both, and finish on a 2-4 record, they could find themselves in a three-way tiebreaker with TNT and Fubon.

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2. TNT still has a chance‍

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TNT Tropang Giga have had a disappointing season thus far.

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The team crashed out of the 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup last week after losing to Magnolia Hotshots in the quarterfinals.

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In EASL, TNT are 1-4 in Group A, but they still have a slim chance of qualifying for the Final Four.

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This week’s game is the last in their EASL Group Stage schedule.

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TNT need to beat the defending EASL champions and also need Taipei Fubon Braves to defeat Anyang on the final day of the Group Stage to have any chance of advancing.

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If these two games go their way, they will find themselves in a three-way tiebreaker with Jung Kwan Jang and Fubon. The final classification would then likely come down to the points differential in the games between the three teams.

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To give themselves the best possible chance of advancing to the next round, TNT need to beat Jung Kwan Jang by as big a margin as possible on Wednesday night.

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3. Monroe leaves team after injury‍

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Long-time import Darryl Monroe bid farewell to Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters last week after suffering a hamstring injury that would require him to be out for three to four weeks.

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The team have signed Jamil Wilson to replace Monroe as their import. Wilson was signed from PBA team Converge FiberXers. His time with Converage was short – he only joined the Filipino side in December last year.

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Monroe had been with Jung Kwan Jang since 2021, winning the EASL Champions Week and the KBL season in 2023, defeating the Seoul SK Knights on both occasions.

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Jung Kwan Jang will miss their big man. Monroe was the team’s rebound and assist leader this season, averaging 17.3 points, 10.0 rebounds, and 6.7 assists in four EASL games.

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Wilson has been an international journeyman. He has played in the NBA, suiting up for the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2017-18 season. As well as the Philippines, he’s had stints in Europe, Mexico and Israel.

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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: 1-4

• 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)
• December 20, 2023: 80-69 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 28.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – 9.0 rpg
• Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 6.3 apg
• Steals: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – 4.0 spg
• Blocks: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – 2.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• 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: 5-6

• 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
• December 25, 2023: 86-78 loss against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel
• January 5, 2024: 119-112 loss against Rain or Shine Elasto Painters
• January 14, 2024: 116-96 win over Phoenix Super LPG Fuel Masters
• January 17, 2024: Quarterfinals – 109-94 loss against Magnolia Hotshots

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

• Points: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – 50.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – 16.0 rpg
• Assists: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 6.9 apg
• Steals: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 2.2 spg
• Blocks: Rondae Hollis-Jefferson – 1.4 bpg‍

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Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters (South Korea – KBL)

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- Team History:

• Founded: 1992
• EASL Champions Week Champions (2023)
• 4x KBL Champions (2011-12, 2016-17, 2020-21, 2022-23)

- 2023 KBL Champions

• Regular Season: 37-17 record, 1st in KBL
• Playoffs: defeated Goyang Day One Jumpers 3-1 in semifinals; defeated Seoul SK Knights 4-3 in Finals

- EASL 2023-24 Season record: 2-2

• October 25, 2023: 98-77 win over Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+)
• December 6, 2023: 105-97 win over TNT Tropang Giga (PBA)
• December 13, 2023: 102-69 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)
• January 10, 2024: 115-98 loss against Chiba Jets (B.LEAGUE)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stat leaders:

• Points: Robert Carter – 27.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Rhenz Abando –3.7 rpg
• Assists: Park Ji Hoon – 5.5 apg
• Steals: 4 players – 1.0 spg
• Blocks: Lee Jong Hyun – 1.0 bpg

- EASL 2023-24 Season upcoming games:

• Away vs. TNT Tropang Giga (PBA) – January 24, 2024
• Away vs. Taipei Fubon Braves (P. LEAGUE+) – February 7, 2024

- EASL History:

• 2023 EASL Champions Week: Braves went 3-0, defeating P. LEAGUE+ side Taipei Fubon Braves 94-69 and PBA side San Miguel Beermen 142-87 in the Group Stage. KGC defeated Seoul SK Knights 90-84 in the Final to win EASL Champions Week.

- 2023-24 KBL Season record: 13-21

• October 21, 2023: 89-74 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• October 28, 2023: 63-59 win over Suwon KT Sonicboom
• October 31, 2023: 86-75 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• November 2, 2023: 96-74 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 4, 2023: 84-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• November 5, 2023: 91-80 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 7, 2023: 74-72 win over Busan KCC Egis
• November 10, 2023: 99-94 win over Wonju DB Promy
• November 12, 2023: 85-71 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• November 14, 2023: 81-63 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• November 17, 2023: 106-77 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• November 19, 2023: 84-74 win over Busan KCC Egis
• November 21, 2023: 98-93 win over Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• November 24, 2023: 94-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• November 26, 2023: 97-80 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• November 28, 2023: 86-82 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• December 1, 2023: 108-77 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 3, 2023: 85-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• December 9, 2023: 93-78 loss against Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus
• December 10, 2023: 88-83 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• December 16, 2023: 84-75 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• December 18, 2023: 91-80 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• December 22, 2023: 104-75 loss against Busan KCC Egis
• December 24, 2023: 113-85 loss against Suwon KT Sonicboom
• December 26, 2023: 94-75 loss against Changwon LG Sakers
• December 28, 2023: 85-81 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• December 30, 2023: 86-68 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• December 31, 2023: 93-86 loss against Wonju DB Promy
• January 2, 2024: 84-80 win over Changwon LG Sakers
• January 4, 2024: 81-70 loss against Daegu KOGAS Pegasus
• January 7, 2024: 83-71 loss against Seoul SK Knights
• January 17, 2024: 93-86 loss against Goyang Sono Skygunners
• January 19, 2024: 86-77 win over Seoul Samsung Thunders
• January 21, 2024: 114-90 win over Ulsan Hyundai Mobis Phoebus

- 2023-24 KBL Season stat leaders:

• Points: Robert Carter – 22.0 ppg
• Rebounds: Robert Carter – 9.8 rpg
• Assists: Park Ji Hoon – 4.5 apg
• Steals: Robert Carter – 1.5 spg
• Blocks: Rhenz Abando – 0.9 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)

• 2023 PBA Governors' Cup Best Import of the Conference (TNT Tropang Giga)

- 2013 McDonald’s All-American; 2013 Jordan Brand Classic

- 2016 5-star high school recruit

- Jordan Men’s National Basketball Team (2023 FIBA World Cup)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 28.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 6.3 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 32.9 ppg, 11.3 rpg, 6.9 apg

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Rahlir Hollis-Jefferson – PF

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- USA NCAA Division 1: Temple (2009-13)

• Former NBA D-League/G League player (Delaware 87ers, Northern Arizona Suns, Memphis Hustle)

- Canada: NBL (Orangeville A’s)

• 2016 NBL Defensive Player of the Year

- Previous teams played:

• Luxembourg (LBBL: AB Contern)
• Finland (Korisliiga: Kataja Basket Club)
• Hungary (Nemzeti Bajnokság I/A: OSE Lions)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 22.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 50.0 ppg, 16.0 rpg, 4.0 apg

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#12 Calvin Oftana – F

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- University: San Beda University (Philippines NCAA)

• 3× NCAA Philippines champion (2016–2018)
• 2019 NCAA Philippines MVP
• 2019 NCAA Philippines Mythical Team

- 2020 PBA Draft: 3^rd overall pick - NLEX Road Warriors

• 2023 PBA champion (Governors' Cup)
• 2023 PBA All-Star (2023)
• 2023 PBA Second Mythical Team
• 2021 PBA All-Rookie Team

- Philippines National Team

• 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games (Gold Medal)
• 2023 Phnom Penh Southeast Asian Games (Gold Medal)

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 15.5 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 1.8 apg

- 2023-24 PBA Commissioner’s Cup season stats:

• 21.8 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.5 apg

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‍Anyang Jung Kwan Jang Red Boosters

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#4 Robert Carter – PF

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- USA NCAA Division I: Georgia Tech (2012-14); Maryland (2015-16)

- Career team history:

• Italy: Serie A – Enel Brindisi (2016-17)
• Lithuania: LKL – Lietuvos rytas (2017)
• Turkey: TBL – Gaziantep Basketbol (2017-18)
• Turkey: TBSL – Afyon Belediye S.K. (2018-19)
• Japan: B.LEAGUE

• Shimane Susanoo Magic (2019-20)
• Yokohama B-Corsairs (2020-21)
• San-en NeoPhoenix (2021-22)

• Israel: Ligat HaAl – Bnei Herzliya (2022-23)
• South Korea: KBL – Anyang Jung kwan Jang Red Boosters

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 27.0 ppg, 2.0 rpg, 2.0 apg

- 2023-24 KBL Stats:

• 22.0 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.8 apg

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Jamil Wilson – SF

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- USA NCAA Division I: Oregon (2009-10); Marquette (2011-14)

- Former NBA player (Los Angeles Clippers)

• NBA career stats: 7.0 ppg, 2.1 rpg, 10 starts

- Former NBA D-League/G League player (Bakersfield Jam, Texas Legends, Agua Caliente Clippers, Fort Wayne Mad Ants)

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#6 Park Ji Hoon – PG

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- University: Chung-Ang University

• Korea: 2^nd in KUSF Scoring (2017)

- South Korea: KBL

• 2016 KBL Draft: 6^th overall pick (Busan KT Sonicboom)
• Korea: 2x KBL Champion (Anyang KGC: 2020-21, 2022-23)

- South Korea National Basketball Team

• 39th Lee Sang Baek Cup Korea x Japan University Basketball Tournament National Team
• 2017 Taipei Summer Universiade men's Basketball Team

- EASL 2023-24 Season stats:

• 8.5 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 5.5 apg

- 2023-24 KBL Stats:

• 12.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.4 spg