Rondae Hollis-Jefferson spoiled Macau’s debut in the 2025-26 season of the East Asia Super League (EASL) after pushing the Bolts past the Black Bears, 92-74, at Cebu Coliseum last 15 November.
Hollis-Jefferson was everywhere on the court, finishing with a monster double-double to the tune of 34 points and 11 rebounds with five assists and two blocks to match.
In usual RHJ fashion, he never sat once in the entire 40 minutes of action in the Bolts’ second straight win.
"Rondae is one of the fiercest competitors I’ve ever played against. He’s the same every time. He approaches the game in the same way," Chris Newsome said.
"He motivates the guys around him, he makes his teammates go harder. Whenever you feel like you can’t anymore, RHJ is someone who will motivate you."
After trailing by as much as 19 points, the Black Bears trimmed their deficit to six, 80-74, late in the fourth quarter.
But in response, Hollis-Jefferson sank a heavily contested short stab and drew the foul to extend the lead to nine, 83-74, with 2:32 left in the game.
Fellow import Ismael Romero, who also had a double-double of his own, put the finishing touches after a bruising bucket in the paint to put Meralco up for good, 85-74, with 1:54 remaining in the game.
Romero powered his way to 25 points and 28 rebounds. Chris Banchero got his rhythm with 12 points while Sina Vahedi also helped the cause with 10 to his name to push the Bolts to a 2-2 record in Group B.
"It was difficult for us because he didn’t know who we’d play so it’s nice to get this win," coach Nenad Vucinic said, reiterating they only found out the Black Bears’ lineup at 10:30 pm the night before.
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