Former Rocket to play for Shell

Former Houston Rocket Tim Breaux, aside from Kwan Johnson, is another new import showcasing his stuff in the Samsung PBA Reinforced Conference as he suits up with Shell starting tomorrow versus Barangay Ginebra in an Air Philippines-sponsored out-of-town game in Calape, Bohol.

Breaux, who is to replace the injured Sedric Webber, is arriving from the US today. He then takes an immediate flight to Bohol to join the Turbochargers in their game versus the Kings at 5 p.m. tomorrow. Webber was forced to pack his bags after suffering a fractured right foot in their game against the FedEx Express last Friday.

Breaux, who turned 33 last Sept. 19, played two seasons with the Rockets in 1994-95 and 1995-96 before being traded to the Vancouver Grizzlies for Pete Chilcutt plus two draft picks.

Before Breaux debuts with Shell tomorrow, Johnson, a former Sta. Lucia import, makes his return stint in the local pro league, spearheading San Miguel’s bid versus Purefoods at 5 p.m. today at the Astrodome.

Former Red Bull Barako players Anton Villoria and Rysal Castro also suit up for the Beermen as they seek to nail their first win in the season-ending tourney in six starts. San Miguel acquired the services of Villoria and Castro in exchange for a future draft pick.

Red Bull Barako is likely to give Coca-Cola its first acid test in the 7:30 p.m. main game. Before that, Talk n Text’s Asi Taulava and Alaska’s Don Allado clash in a Barangay Ginebra-Purefoods King of the Court one-on-one tiff.

The Tigers are unbeaten in five outings but could finally find its match in the Thunder who have shown marked improvement in their game on the arrival of former Chicago Bull Scott Burrell. Red Bull Barako has won its last two games and improved its record to 3-2.

Vince Hizon has been activated by Red Bull Barako from a reserve status following Villoria’s and Castro’s transfer to San Miguel.

Taulava finally sees action in the one-on-one side event, tangling with Allado for a slot in the quarterfinal round where Shell‚s Tony dela Cruz and Red Bull Barako’s Davonn Harp have earned spots in the 6-foot-4 and above category. Dela Cruz eased out Coca-Cola’s Rafi Reavis while Harp eliminated Barangay Ginebra’s Jun Limpot.

It could be considered a marquee duel with Taulava and Allado the two leading big men in the race for the season’s Most Valuable Player award. Taulava remained on top spot while Allado inside the Magic Five at the end of the mid-season Invitational tourney.

It’s no-brainer that Taulava should be the outstanding favorite in this matchup with the Fil-Tongan behemoth easily the most dominant player in the league at present. But the question is whether Taulava can dominate without Jimmy Alapag feeding him down low.

Now that he has to create play on his own, another question is whether he can pile up points on the dribble coming from beyond the arc.

After the Taulava-Allado tiff, up next in the one-on-one tourney is the Kerby Raymundo-Danny Ildefonso setto on Sunday then Dennis Espino-Yancy de Ocampo Wednesday, Joey Mente-Brandon Cablay Oct. 3, Willie Miller-Rey Evangelista Oct. 5 and Jimmy Alapag-Jeffrey Cariaso Oct. 8.

Shell’s Chris Calaguio and Sta. Lucia‚s Francis Adriano have advanced to the next round in the below 6-4 class with victories over Ginebra‚s Mark Caguioa and FedEx’s Gherome Ejercito, respectively.