Sullinger to create stir in TnT debut

Talk ’N’ Text import J. J. Sullinger is expected to deliver a message, loud and clear, in his debut against Alaska in the PBA Fiesta Conference at the Big Dome tonight.

The word is the Phone Pals made the right connection in signing up the 6-5, 210-pound do-everything southpaw swingman who was known for his versatility and consistency in three years at Ohio State. And Sullinger is ready to stamp his class.

"He’s exciting and fun to watch," said team manager Frankie Lim yesterday. "He’s an in-and-out guy who can hit the three, penetrate and dish. He’s aggressive both in offense and defense. He does so many things on the court. At the end of a game, you’ll be surprised how much he’s done when you check his stats."

Lim likened Sullinger to another Ohio State lefthander Michael Redd, now a Milwaukee Bucks star in the NBA.

Lim flew to the US to scout Mike Harris as a possible import last month and nearly came to terms with the NBDL star after a four-day trip. When Harris decided to stay in the NBDL, Sullinger became available and the Phone Pals couldn’t be so lucky.

Sullinger is fresh from playing for the Indiana Alley Cats in the Continental league where he ranked in the top 10 in scoring and rebounding this season.

With Jimmy Alapag, Asi Taulava and RenRen Ritualo on loan to the national team, the Phone Pals are bringing up practice player Jonathan Aldave who was undrafted as a rookie applicant last year. The team also inked free agent Egay Billones and is awaiting Abby Santos to clear waivers from Air21 this week.

Lim said in Alapag’s place, Donbel Belano will start at point guard with Patrick Fran and Billones as backups. Forward Don Allado, who sat out the Phone Pals’ last 11 games of the Philippine Cup with a fractured hand, is back on the active list but may still not be in game shape because of his two-month layoff.

Coach Derick Pumaren said losing three key players in three different positions is a big challenge to overcome.

"We’ll play J. J. at two or three but he can also post up," said Pumaren. "He plays bigger than his size. We hope he’ll be fine tonight. We beat Welcoat and Air21 in practice games but J. J. had a bad fall and suffered a hip contusion in the third quarter after scoring 26 points against Air21 and didn’t return to play."

Sullinger, 24, averaged 21.4 points, 7.5 rebounds and 6.0 assists as a Worthington high school senior in 2000-01. He was recruited by Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson and scored 9.4 points a game for the Razorbacks as a freshman in 2001-02. When Richardson left Arkansas, Sullinger redshirted a year at Ohio State then played three seasons in a row for the Buckeyes. He averaged 10.1 points, 7.0 rebounds and 29 minutes as a senior in 2005-06 when Ohio State posted a 26-6 record.

"J. J. is a swing guard who can play three positions (point, shooting guard, small forward)," said Richardson who popularized the "40 minutes of hell" philosophy as Arkansas’ unforgiving coach. "He’s a slasher (who) has good instincts, makes good passes, has good quickness and great awareness. He understands the game very well."

Blue Ribbon College Basketball Yearbook said Sullinger isn’t spectacular but "he’s the definition of consistency, quick enough to defend smaller opponents yet strong enough to take on post players."