PBA welcomes 9 new imports

The PBA Governors Cup will usher in nine new imports, including five of the Asian variety, in the league’s third and final conference with defending champion San Miguel Beer back with do-it-all reinforcement Arizona Reid. A doubleheader will open the tournament at the Smart Araneta Coliseum today.

The debuting imports are Alaska’s LaDontae Henton of Providence, Phoenix’ Marcus Simmons of the University of Southern California and Lee Gwan Hee of South Korea, Tropang TNT’s Mario Little of Kansas, Mahindra’s James White of Georgia Tech and Iman Zandi of Iran, NLEX’ Rodrigue Aki of Lebanon, Meralco’s Mohammad Jamshidi of Iran and Blackwater’s Imad Qahwash of Palestine.

Returning for another tour of duty are Reid, Barangay Ginebra’s Paul Harris of Syracuse, Blackwater’s Eric Dawson of Midwestern State, Meralco’s Allen Durham of Grace Bible College, Star’s Marqus Blakely of Vermont, Rain Or Shine’s Dior Lowhorn of Texas Tech and the University of San Francisco, Tropang TNT’s Michael Madanly of Syria, Globalport’s Dominique Sutton of North Carolina Central and Omar Krayem of Palestine and NLEX’ Henry Walker of Kansas State.

Of the 19 imports, only Walker was an NBA draft pick and veteran. Walker, 28, played for Alaska in 2014, averaging 21.4 points and 8.9 rebounds. Before moving to the PBA, he had suited up for the Boston Celtics and New York Knicks. After the PBA, Walker worked his way back to the NBA and joined the Miami Heat. In five NBA seasons, Walker earned over $2.2 Million.

Mahindra and Blackwater are the only teams allowed to recruit a regular import of up to 6-9 as both teams failed to make it to the playoffs in the last two conferences as second-year franchises. The limit for the other imports is 6-5. The limit for Asian imports is 6-3.

In the Governors Cup last season, San Miguel Beer won the championship via a 4-0 romp over Alaska in the finals. Rain Or Shine took third place and Star, fourth to round up the Final Four cast. Comebacking imports who played that conference are Reid, Blakely, Krayem and Madanly.

Today’s inaugural twinbill pits Meralco against Phoenix in the first encounter and Star against Mahindra in the nightcap. The Bolts are parading the 6-4 1/2 Durham and 6-2 3/4 Jamshidi with new hire Jonathan Uyloan. In a practice game, Meralco beat Alaska, 106-92, with Durham scoring 29 points and Cliff Hodge 20.

Durham, 28, led Grace Bible (a school in Grand Rapids, Michigan) to the National Christian College Athletic Association Division II title thrice. He averaged 18.3 points and shot 40 percent from beyond the arc as a senior in 2010-11. Two years ago, Durham hit at a 25.5 clip for Barako Bull in the Governors Cup. He has also played as an import in Romania, Finland, Israel and France so his experience will go a long way in leading the Meralco charge towards a first finals appearance. Jamshidi, 24, was scheduled to arrive yesterday afternoon. Bolts team manager Paolo Trillo said coach Norman Black expects Jamshidi to play today.

Ariel Vanguardia will make his PBA head coaching debut with the Petroleum Fuel Masters against Meralco. Phoenix took over the Barako Bull franchise last conference and the Fuel Masters posted a 3-8 record to stumble out of the playoffs. With Vanguardia replacing Koy Banal at the helm, Phoenix team owner Dennis Uy hopes for a breakthrough. Simmons, 28, and Lee, 28, will carry the load for the Fuel Masters with J. C. Intal recovering from knee surgery.

Simmons, a Japanese league veteran, is known as a defensive specialist but impressed with 28 points in Phoenix’ 129-118 loss to Tropang TNT at a recent practice game. Yonsei University’s Lee also showed offensive skills in firing 14 in a previous Phoenix practice win over Star.

In between conferences, Phoenix underwent a major facelift with James Forrester, Emman Monfort, R. R. Garcia, Mac Baracael and Rodney Brondial gone to other teams. Checking in are recruits Cyrus Baguio, Mark Borboran, Simon Enciso, Mon Cruz, Norbert Torres, Ronjay Buenafe and John Wilson. Back to hold the fort are Intal, Josh Urbiztondo, Prince Caperal, Chico Lanete, Willie Wilson, Michael Miranda, Paul Sorongon and Mick Pennisi.

In the second offering tonight, Star will bring back Blakely who is playing in his sixth conference. Blakely, 27, had led the Purefoods franchise to two titles and was named Best Import in 2013. Hotshots coach Jason Webb has fortified his lineup with Brondial, Garcia and Keith Jensen while retaining James Yap, Marc Pingris, Mark Barroca, P. J. Simon, Allein Maliksi, Alex Mallari, Ian Sangalang, Justin Melton, Jake Pascual, Jerwin Gaco and Rafi Reavis. Gone are Ronald Pascual, Yousef Taha, Torres and Cruz.

Mahindra will mark the debut of Chris Gavina as first assistant coach in place of Chito Victolero. The Enforcers moved out Karl Dehesa and brought in Paolo Taha and Keith Agovida. White, 23, is the youngest and tallest (6-8 1/8) import in town. Zandi, 34, is an Iranian national team veteran who has played at the Olympics and FIBA World Cup.