4 PBA teams opt for ‘balikbayans’

Source: Manila Bulletin
By WAYLON GALVEZ
March 16, 2010, 7:07pm

Games Sunday (Araneta Coliseum)
4:00 p.m. — Barako Bull vs Sta. Lucia
6:30 p.m. — Ginebra vs Talk ’N Text

San Miguel Beer, Rain or Shine, and two other teams will be reunited with their former imports, believing that “familiarity” will be the key to their success in the PBA Fiesta Cup which opens shop on Sunday at the Araneta Coliseum.

Since he emerged as the Best Import last year, Gabe Freeman is the logical choice since the Beermen are determined to defend their crown after they were embarrassed by sister team Purefoods in the semis of the season-opening tournament.

Not only that. The 6-foot-5 Freeman is now in tip-top shape having played for the RP Patriots in the ASEAN Basketball League (ABL).

“It’s an advantage because Gabe already knows our system, he knows the players and he knows what kind of basketball we play in the PBA. With that he won’t make the adjustment,” San Miguel head coach Siot Tanquingcen said.

Rain or Shine, on the other hand, will have the hulking Jai Lewis as its import – the very same player that helped the Elasto Painters reach the semis last year – their best-ever showing so far since joining the league three years ago.

The Elasto Painters, owned by Raymund Yu and Terry Que, need the inside smarts of Lewis since they lack a legitimate center.

Lewis, who played along side Gabe Norwood at George Mason University in the US NCAA, averaged 20.3 points, 15.6 rebounds and 2.3 assists.

Anthony Johnson will again suit up for Sta. Lucia, hoping to deliver the same numbers he provided the team last year.

Johnson, who arrived Sunday after playing in Korea, averaged 29 points and 16.5 rebounds last season for the Realtors.

Also tapping the services of former import is Coca-Cola, which will parade James Penny, who will be in his fourth PBA stint after he played his first two with Red Bull, which he helped win the title in 2006. He averaged 26.1 points and 12.7 rebounds last season with the Tigers.

The other American reinforcements, including Diamon Simpson of Alaska, Awvee Storey of Ginebra, Sammy Monroe of Barako Bull and Eric Cory Hicks of Talk ‘N Text, are equally dependable Storey has the most impressive credentials in the import class, having played in three NBA teams – Washington, New Jersey and Milwaukee – for four seasons.

Simpson had a brief stint with Los Angeles D-Fenders in the NBA Developmental League.

Monroe saw action with the Rochester Razorsharks in the little-known Premier Basketball League. Another newcomer is Greek League veteran Lorrenzo Wade, who will strut his wares for the All-Filipino champion Derby Ace Llamados (formerly Purefoods TJ Giants).