Jared Dillinger of Talk ’N text (right) loses the ball against the defense of Barangay Ginebra’s JC Intal (center) and Jayjay Helterbrand during their PBA Fiesta Cup game Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum. The Gin Kings won, 97-90. (Photo by TONY PIONILLA)
Games Wednesday (Araneta Coliseum)
5 p.m. — Coca-Cola vs Barako Coffee
7:30 p.m. — San Miguel vs Air21
New imports Awvee Storey of Barangay Ginebra and Sammy Monroe of Barako Bull Coffee outshone their veteran counterparts as they shared the opening day limelight at the start of the PBA Fiesta Cup Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.
Storey, who played three seasons with three different teams in the NBA, made things happen for the Kings in his first PBA stint as he helped his team beat Talk ‘N Text, 97-90.
Storey finished with 33 points, took down 16 rebounds, had two assists, a steal and a block in 38 minutes of action.
He also showed patience and self control from the rough tactics of Ranidel de Ocampo and Mark Yee.
After just one game, Ginebra coach Jong Uichico was full of praise for his new import.
“He’s really an all-around player. He’s not really spectacular, but he can provide a little of everything,” Uichico said. “We’re hoping that he could really complement our locals, that's what we really want. But he has to keep working hard.”
Monroe, on the other hand, showed more flash and appeared to fit the requirements of Barako.
Also making his first PBA stint, he scored 39 points on top of 11 boards and three assists as he helped the Coffee Masters score a surprising 97-93 win over the Sta. Lucia Realtors.
“He’s not really a flashy type of player, but he gets the job done. One good thing about him is that he’s a team player,” Barako’s newly appointed coach Junel Baculi said.
Sta. Lucia brought back Anthony Johnson while TNT tapped Shawn Daniels who had previous stints with Air21/Burger King.
Though both players are familiar with PBA’s brand of game, their efforts fell short.
Johnson exploded for 41 points aside from pulling down 13 rebounds but lack of local support did the Realtors in.
Uichico, however, believes that Storey can be deadlier in their next game.
“They don’t know the style, the weakness. In any first game of imports, that’s always the case,” Uichico said. “But once they get scouted, they have to really work harder. Like Awvee, he has to keep working hard.”
Three more imports will debut this week with Keena Young of Air21, Diamon Simpson of Alaska and Lorrenzo Wade of Philippine Cup champion Purefoods – now known as B-MEG Derby Ace – will show what kind of stuff they have.
Other returning imports are James Penny of Coca-Cola, Rain or Shine’s Jai Lewis, and last season’s Best Import Gabe Freeman of defending champion San Miguel Beer.
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