The Chiba Jets left Japan on Thursday, but at least two TNT players made an impression on American head coach John Patrick.

The experienced internationalist singled out Jaydee Tungcab and Gilas Pilipinas mainstay Calvin Oftana as the two Tropang Giga players who surprised him the most during the Jets’ two EASL Home and Away Season games against TNT.

Tungcab was with the Tropang Giga in their first meeting versus the Jets in Japan three weeks ago but did not play.

Oftana, on the other hand, was taking a personal sabbatical after returning from a stay with the Philippine men’s basketball team, who recaptured the gold medal at the 19th Asian Games.

When the two finally got to play together at the Sta. The Chiba coach definitely saw Rosa Sports Complex.

In a 75-66 loss on All Saints Day, the sophomore forward was the Tropang Giga’s second top scorer, trailing import Quincy Miller’s 22.

He scored all of his points in the first half, which he capped with two three-pointers that halted the Jets from pulling away for good and kept TNT in the game.

And what about Oftana?

Oftana struggled with his shooting in his first game for TNT since the Asiad, finishing 4-of-11 from the field (36 percent) to end with eight points and eight rebounds.

The Tropang Giga will not be playing for the Jets again, but Oftana and Tungcab have the attention of the 55-year-old Patrick, who formerly played for famed coach John Wooten of DeMatha Catholic High School.

On the other hand, TNT Coach Jojo Lastimosa has stated that the prolific former NBA player may not be ready to play for the team in the early stages of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, which begins on Sunday.

The Tropang Giga will face the Magnolia Hotshots in the lone opening game at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with another import replacing Hollis-Jefferson.

Hollis-Jefferson missed the 75-66 TNT loss to Chiba Jets in the EASL Home and Away season on Wednesday night due to illness.

During the game, the 28-year-old foreigner wore a black hoodie and enthusiastically cheered on the Tropang Giga.

However, according to Lastimosa, he was sick on the inside.

Hollis-Jefferson continued to attend TNT’s training camp in Laguna, but became ill just days before the game versus the Jets.

The TNT coach stated that the squad is not willing to endanger Hollis-Jefferson’s health by bringing in an interim import.

The TNT coach did not pick an interim import.