CJ Cansino, Meralco dedicate PBA PH Cup win to injured RHJ

There’s more to Meralco’s win than beefing up its PBA Season 50 Philippine Cup quarterfinal aspirations.

The Bolts are dedicating their 120-87 demolition of Terrafirma Wednesday, Dec. 10, to injured EASL teammate Rondae Hollis-Jefferson.

“This is for him,” said CJ Cansino after the match at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo.

Hollis-Jefferson suffered an Achilles injury in the Bolts’ 93-91 win over the Macau Black Bears last Dec. 6.

[RELATED STORY: Meralco Bolts carry over fine play from EASL to PBA]

It’s a big blow not only for Meralco, but also for RHJ's home team TNT, which is left to scramble for a replacement for this season’s import-laced Commissioner’s and Governors’ Cups, respectively.

Though Meralco teamed up with Hollis-Jefferson in only seven games in the EASL, the players have already forged an unbreakable bond with the PBA three-time Best Import.

“Si RHJ kasi as a teammate, ibang klase. So we’re dedicating this game and 'yong upcoming game namin to him,” said Cansino, who finished with 20 points for the Bolts. 

“Kasi sobrang laking factor na nakasama namin siya sa EASL. 'Yong pagiging teammate niya sa'min is iba. Kaya siguro siya tinawatawag na Kobe Lefty.”

Meralco head coach Luigi Trillo shared a similar sentiment, adding that the Bolts organization will be with RHJ every step of the way until he returns to the floor again.

“Rondae has been a class act. You don’t want to see a good guy like that come down,” said Trillo.

“We’re also his family, his EASL family. We believe in him. I think he’ll be back in less than a year. We’re there for him. Meralco is there for him.”

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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.