Krayem back for GlobalPort?

Palestinian guard Omar Krayem was supposed to be in GlobalPort’s lineup for the PBA Governors Cup this season but an injury stalled his return although the word is he’s ready to fly in if the Batang Pier offer is still on the table.

GlobalPort PBA governor Erick Arejola said yesterday a decision will be made on whether to hire an Asian import or not after the game against Mahindra at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tomorrow. It was Arejola who mentioned that Krayem would likely come back for a second tour of duty but that was two months ago. Talks were called off when Krayem went down with an injury and underwent a PRP procedure.

Arejola said team manager Bonnie Tan is in contact with Krayem. “Omar’s ready to play,” he said. “Now, it’s up to top management to decide if we’ll get an Asian import and playing what position.”

Krayem, 29, averaged 13.2 points in 13 games for GlobalPort in the Governors Cup last season. From the PBA, he saw action in the FIBA Europe Cup with Basketligan of Sweden, averaging 20.4 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.6 assists. Krayem also played for Basketligan in the Swedish league, averaging 16 points, 4.4 rebounds and 6.2 assists. 

The 5-10 3/4 Krayem was on the Palestine national squad in 2011 and 2013. He played a year at Eastern Washington University with the Indiana Pacers’ Rodney Stuckey and another year at California Baptist before plying his trade in Sweden, Finland, Hungary, Mexico, Palestine and the Philippines. Krayem lives in Sweden with his Swedish wife Caroline.

Arejola said another decision to make is whether to retain import Dominique Sutton or bring in a replacement. Sutton, who stands 6-4 5/16, averaged 26 points and 15.4 rebounds for Air21 in the 2014 Governors Cup and is one of nine returning imports, excluding Krayem. 

“It’s a short conference so we’ve got to make decisions right away before it’s too late,” said Arejola. “From what Dominique showed in our first game, he has to deliver more. We’ll evaluate his performance against Mahindra then decide if we’ll make a change.”

Sutton, 29, wasn’t particularly outstanding in GlobalPort’s 93-81 loss to Barangay Ginebra to open its Governors Cup campaign on a sour note at the MOA Arena last Saturday. He had 18 points, 15 rebounds and three assists in 42:41 minutes. Sutton shot 4-of-9 free throws and flubbed all five three-point attempts. His field goal mark of 30.4 percent was way below par. Worse, Sutton couldn’t even take advantage of import counterpart Paul Harris’ absence in the homestretch.  Harris failed to finish the contest, walking away with a broken thumb after scoring 14 points in 33:28 minutes.

GlobalPort showed up against Ginebra with missing pieces. Rico Maierhofer suffered an ACL tear in his right knee last April and will be out for at least two more months. He’s been relegated to the reserve/injured list, taking the place of Dorian Peña who’s now an unrestricted free agent. Billy Mamaril also couldn’t check in, recovering from a calf issue, and is day-to-day. However, there’s a chance he may be cleared to play tomorrow. Jay Washington will be out for at least another week to rest his calf. Joseph Yeo started for the Batang Pier last Saturday but hurt his ankle and limped off the court after contributing eight points in 16:25 minutes.

To cover for the injured players, GlobalPort signed up free agents Papot Paredes and Gab Banal. Paredes was picked on the second round by Barako Bull in the 2014 draft. The 6-5 center from La Salle played 11 games for Barako last season then moved to Mahindra where he shot five points in a single contest in the Philippine Cup. Banal was another Barako second round pick in 2014 and had never played in the PBA until his debut last Saturday. Banal’s father Joel was a PBA player and coach. They join a long list of fathers and sons who’ve played in the PBA, namely, Robert and Dodot Jaworski, Leo and Bacon Austria, Ato and Marc Agustin, Peter and Japeth Aguilar, Freddie and Paolo Hubalde, Sonny and JunJun Cabatu, Freddie and Jason Webb, Alvin and Jeric Teng, Jess Migalbin and Richard Yee, Romy and Rome de la Rosa, Elmer and Raphy Reyes, Mario and Marlon Basco, Roberto and Marlon Legaspi, Florendo and RenRen Ritualo, Marty and Jomar Tierra, Jun and Addy Papa and Romy and Billy Mamaril.   

Banal played 6:27 minutes in his first PBA appearance against Ginebra. He’s one of three rookies in active rosters. The others are Ginebra’s Franklin Bonifacio and Tropang TNT’s Kris Rosales. 

Aside from Banal and Paredes, GlobalPort added Yousef Taha, Karl Dehesa and Ronald Pascual to its Governors Cup cast. Taha, who came in from the Star Hotshots, started last Saturday and logged 34:31 minutes.  Dehesa scored two points and Pascual went silent. 

Before the conference started, GlobalPort elevated Johnedel Cardel to head coach with Cholo Villanueva as first assistant coach. Others in the coaching staff are Eric Gonzales, Oliver Bunyi, Senen Duenas and Erwin Sta. Maria. Adamson head coach Franz Pumaren is GlobalPort’s consultant which is Joe Lipa’s same title with Mahindra. Former GlobalPort head coach Pido Jarencio is now the team’s head of basketball operations.