Rondae Hollis-Jefferson was in the stands at Ninoy Aquino Stadium to watch TNT play Barangay Ginebra in the PBA 49th Season Philippine Cup.

But the outcome of his return to Manila was not what he had hoped for, as the Gin Kings defeated the Tropang 5G 97-78.

While the team is participating in an all-local Philippine Cup, Hollis-Jefferson is in town to lead basketball clinics. After winning the Commissioner’s Cup and Governors’ Cup, he helped prepare the ballclub to win a grand slam.

On March 28, RHJ played his final PBA game in Game 7 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Finals, where TNT defeated Ginebra 87-83 in overtime.

At halftime, with the Tropang 5G down 54-27, the three-time Best Import made sure to make his presence known despite being in the stands by taking the time to speak to the players.

“Kanina nung halftime, sabi lang niya na be accountable and don’t look at the score,” TNT center Poy Erram stated.

However, after TNT lost the game early by giving up the first 13 points, Erram acknowledged that it was easier said than done.

“Nakita namin ‘yung score, tambak na kami ng bente. Hindi na namin tinatakbo ‘yung sistema namin. Dumating na sa point na one-on-one na,” Erram said.

Following the defeat, RHJ, who has a one-year exclusive contract with TNT, joined his squad in the dugout.

The Tropang 5G’s matchup with Magnolia at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Friday, which has seeding implications, will be Hollis-Jefferson’s next opportunity to watch a TNT triumph.

Meanwhile, during Sunday night’s TNT game against Barangay Ginebra, Poy Erram sprained his right ankle. 

At 6:27 in the fourth quarter, Erram was seen writhing in agony, and TNT held its breath. Erram even had to be assisted back to the bench by his teammates after crawling on the floor.

Erram, however, calmed concerns about a serious injury.

In addition to Rey Nambatac’s groin ailment and Jayson Castro’s damaged patellar tendon, TNT just welcomed back Brandon Ganuelas-Rosser following his recovery from an ACL injury.

Erram has time to recover because TNT won’t play until Friday, when it takes on Magnolia in a crucial matchup that might determine the team’s seed for the quarterfinals.

“Mahaba pa naman ‘yung break. Sa Friday pa next game,” Erram, one of the numerous TNT players who had trouble shooting during the 97-78 defeat, finished with two points, six rebounds, and one steal while only being 0-of-4 from the field.

As a squad, TNT only made 38% of its shots.