MANILA, Philippines – After his PBA comeback ended abruptly the previous season, Rondae Hollis-Jefferson is back, this time joining the TNT Tropang Giga to compete in the PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup for triumph.

The Tropang Giga and “RHJ” begin their campaign at 7:30 p.m. against NorthPort Batang Pier. Tuesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum is the main day.

The Hollis-Jefferson led TNT squad, which proved to be a formidable combination in Season 47, is back on track with the addition of firepower from Rey Nambatac and added size from Henry Galinato and CJ Payawal.

Coach Chot Reyes and his team are determined to make up for a disorganized season in which they were unable to advance past the quarterfinals of both the Governors’ Cup and the all-Filipino competition.

After a disorganized season in which they were unable to advance past the quarterfinals of both the Governors’ Cup and the all-Filipino tournament, coach Chot Reyes and his team are determined to make a complete turnaround.

Their campaign came to a premature end when Hollis-Jefferson was injured, severely undermining their chances of winning the import-flavored conference. They had an uphill struggle in the quarterfinals against the top-seeded Magnolia Hotshots as the eighth seed, which highlighted the difficulties they faced in the absence of their main player.

In the meantime, the Batang Pier showed some promise by finishing the elimination phase two spots ahead of the Tropang Giga. But in the quarterfinals, they were defeated handily by the sixth-seeded Barangay Ginebra Kings, ending their trip in the same fashion. Head coach Bonnie Tan and his squad failed to live up to expectations and could not progress.

The Batang Pier are now hoping to bounce back and push harder in the next campaign. They are counting on University of California, Riverside outstanding player Tayloy Johns, 30, to carry them through. The Batang Pier are relying on Johns to improve their performance, if not challenge for the championship, because he adds a plethora of ability and expertise to the group. With players like Joshua Munzon, William Navarro, and Arvin Tolentino, some of the best players in the area, on his team, his leadership and abilities will be essential. These guys need to step up to support Johns in order to have a big influence, even though they have shown promise.

But during the off-season, the club also had to adjust to a few big changes. Through trades, they lost a vital player in Zav Lucero, which was a significant loss considering his contributions. As compensation, the squad obtained Sidney Onwubere, Abu Tratter, and Jio Jalalon, who are anticipated to cover for Lucero and add fresh perspectives to the group’s tactical approach.

In order for Batang Pier to recover from the setback of the previous season, the performance of these new players and the group’s ability to click will be crucial. Combining new talent with seasoned leadership, the squad is cautiously hopeful about its prospects. Johns will have to work hard to get NorthPort back into the running with the hopes of taking them all the way to the postseason and perhaps even a championship run.

The acquisition of Tayloy Johns, an import with a wealth of expertise in multiple foreign leagues, by the Batang Pier is a significant asset. Having represented the squad in Slovenia, Greece, Israel, Finland, and Slovakia, Johns is a versatile player with a wealth of information. He most recently finished a productive period polishing his craft at the Indonesian club Kesatria. Expectations are high as the Tropang Giga and Batang Pier get ready to kick off their campaigns on Day Two of the season. Their matches come after a spectacular season opener in which Meralco triumphed against Magnolia after a fierce battle, laying the groundwork for an intriguing and competitive campaign. Johns will be crucial to the Batang Pier’s success as they strive for a fast start.