Two who got away

They could’ve stayed to play. Under Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) rules, an import who tests positive for marijuana has up to 45 days to flush the substance out of his system before submitting to a second examination.

But Darrin Hancock and Kris Clack got the heave-ho without a second chance. That’s how strong their clubs are committed to the league’s anti-drug policy.

FedEx released Hancock last week without an assurance that his replacement Terrence Shannon would be measured within the 6-5 limit for imports. It was a big risk because if Shannon measured over the ceiling, the Express would’ve played importless against Red Bull last Saturday.

As it turned out, Shannon came in a shade under 6-5 and was cleared to suit up. It didn’t make much of a difference, however, as FedEx lost a 100-92 decision to the Barako whose reinforcement Ramel (The Rock) Lloyd is the early candidate for Best Import honors. Lloyd banged in 43 points in a scintillating debut. Shannon, unadjusted to the PBA style and whisked to Baguio fresh from the international airport, delivered 29 points.

As for Clack, San Miguel Beer entertained no second thoughts in sending him home after he, too, tested positive for marijuana. With or without the 45-day grace period, San Miguel officials decided he had to go. A team insider said there’s a clause in every San Miguel import’s contract stipulating an immediate exit if he tests positive for illegal drugs–of whatever variety.

The San Miguel decision was more painful than FedEx’ because coach Joseph Uichico had no fallback to lean on. As soon as it was decided to send Clack home, Uichico contacted Shea Seals who played for the Beermen last season. But Seals, who once played for the Los Angeles Lakers in the National Basketball Association (NBA), couldn’t fly in until yesterday–the day after San Miguel’s Reinforced Conference debut against Barangay Ginebra.

Los Angeles-based import recruiter Mike Gonzalez, who’s in town, said he could’ve flown in a player from the Chinese summer league to fill in for Clack with no long-term commitments.

"I’ve got imports trying out in China where the summer league just ended," said Gonzalez who leaves for Beijing to check on his players today and returns here Friday. "Lloyd, in fact, came from China which is only a few hours away by plane. The imports who made a good impression in the summer league will stay around when the next Chinese season opens this month."

Gonzalez brought in Wayland White from Australia to try out for PBA clubs two weeks ago but the former New Mexico forward left unsigned after a few days.

"It’s too expensive to fly in an import from the US for a tryout," said Gonzalez. "But if an import is coming from China or Australia, it’s worth the gamble."

Gonzalez said former PBA imports Isaac Fontaine and Ray Tutt are available to play here, if there are takers. One of his players, 31-year-old veteran globetrotter Izett Buchanan, could’ve flown in from China to suit up even for a game here last weekend.

Obviously, Uichico opted for an import who already knew his system and didn’t relish the idea of disrupting his rotation by bringing in someone from the cold at a moment’s notice. Chemistry is something Uichico wouldn’t want to compromise.

Last Sunday, San Miguel Beer played importless and nearly bowled over Ginebra only to lose by two points on a last-second heave by Romel Adducul. Ginebra played with import Ricky Price.

Clack would’ve been sensational here. He boasts a 43-inch vertical leap and jumped center at the University of Texas where his varsity teammates included disgraced Fil-Sham Sonny Alvarado and former imports Ira Clark and Gabe Muoneke. Former Texas coach Tom Penders described Clack as the best athlete he’s coached in over 25 years. His dunks were known to be Jordanesque. Clack, the first Texas player to compile 200 steals and 100 blocked shots in his campus career, was also touted as "a defensive stud."

Hancock wouldn’t have been as spectacular even as his credentials show a three-year stint in the NBA with the Charlotte Hornets, Milwaukee Bucks, San Antonio Spurs and Atlanta Hawks. Hancock, 31, racked up modest stats in the Continental Basketball Association, the United States Basketball League and the International Basketball League. He probably wouldn’t have made the grade in the PBA as a go-to guy.

There’s a lot of pressure on an import’s shoulders. If his team loses, he’s the convenient scapegoat. If his team wins, it’s more likely the locals stepped up to support the import. That’s the price an import pays for his bigger-than-life persona. Incidentally, some imports’ contracts are guaranteed the entire conference. Others are on a game-to-game or month-to-month basis, depending on their caliber.

As import prospects are cut from pro camps in the US, they become available to play here or anywhere else. Gonzalez said former Tanduay recruit Billy Thomas was free to fly in last week but a few days ago, he signed to play in Europe where the contracts are bigger and longer. So it’s not easy to contract former NBA cagers or minor league stars for the PBA–competition from Europe is stiff.

But make no mistake about it, the PBA is an attractive option for American players. The league’s just like the NBA so there’s little adjustment to the rules unlike in Europe. An import hoping for a chance to break into the NBA can use the PBA as a springboard because playing 48 minutes a game is excellent preparation. Besides, the money’s not bad and the dollar goes a long, long way here.

So far, five imports have shown their wares in the PBA. Lloyd was the most impressive. Shell’s Sedric Webber looked good, too. As for Shannon, Talk ‘N’ Text’s Damien Cantrell and Price, the jury’s still out on the PBA newcomers who appeared a bit shaky in their debuts.