Justin Brownlee set to finally team up with Rondae Hollis-Jefferson at Meralco for EASL

The Justin Brownlee-Rondae Hollis-Jefferson tandem is finally happening.

Rivals in the PBA and even once dueled for the Asian Games gold medal, Brownlee and RHJ will team up for Meralco against Macau Black Bears in the East Asia Super League on Saturday, Dec. 6.

Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo confirmed this development to One Sports.

“Yes, Justin will be joining us for game this Saturday,” said Trillo via text message Wednesday, Dec. 3.

[RELATED STORY: RHJ on Meralco's win in EASL Cebu charity game: 'I hope it inspires them’]

Brownlee missed the first four EASL games for the Bolts after a bout with pneumonia that lasted for over a month.

The beloved naturalized Filipino only made his way back to the country on Nov. 14, but had to join Gilas Pilipinas first in prepping for their FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers campaign.

Just two days after leading Gilas to twin victories against Guam, Brownlee joined the Bolts in practice for the first time at the Upper Deck Gym.

Brownlee and Meralco will have two more practice sessions in Manila before leaving for Ilagan City, Isabela to take on the Black Bears, which the Bolts already beat in Cebu last Nov. 15.

Brownlee’s arrival is definitely a big boost for the Meralco side looking to improve on its 2-2 win-loss record in the regional league.

Aside from the JB-RHJ duo, also reinforcing the Bolts are Ismael Romero and Sina Vahedi.

With Brownlee classified as a naturalized player, he will take over the spot of Ange Kouame on the Meralco’s EASL roster.

The Meralco-Macau match tips off at 6:00 p.m. Saturday at the Capital Arena.

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Like most sportswriters, Jan Ballesteros once dreamed of becoming a professional hooper. But he learned the hard way that it’s not for everyone.

He continues to be involved in the sport he loves, but this time as a member of the PBA Press Corps. Aside from primarily covering the PBA, he is also assigned to cover Gilas Pilipinas.