EASL: Rondae's return not enough as TNT comeback vs. Anyang falls short

Rondae Hollis-Jefferson came back from an injury, but it was not enough to salvage TNT's playoff hopes in the East Asia Super League as they fell to Anyang Jung Kwan Jang of South Korea, 88-76, on Wednesday at the Philsports Arena.

The lefty sniper Hollis-Jefferson top-scored the Tropang Giga with 33 points alongside seven rebounds, seven assists, and three steals, but TNT slipped to a 1-5 card in Group A. 

With the loss, TNT has also kissed goodbye its hopes to qualify for the next round. Anyang, meanwhile, improved to 3-2 despite the absence of an injured Filipino import Rhenz Abando. 

Trailing all game long, TNT got a grip in the fourth after Hollis-Jefferson and Matt Ganuelas-Rosser completed back-to-back baskets to trim the deficit to single digit, 67-75, halfway through the payoff frame. 

A Ryan Reyes triple then made it a 73-78 deficit but the Koreans retaliated with a 6-0 rampage capped by a fadeaway jumper from former Converge import Jamil Wilson, 73-85, with 2:06 left. 

Reyes again nailed a three-pointer, but Seongwon Choi answered with his own long bomb to seal the deal for the reigning KBL champions.

Choi finished with 23 points while Wilson and Jihoon Park each chipped in 15 markers as Anyang solidified its Final Four hopes. 

Rondae's older brother Rahlir also suited up, tallying a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds on top of five assists and four steals.

—Bea Micaller/JKC, GMA Integrated News