Not easy finding right import

The search for the right import will continue even after the PBA Commissioner’s Cup begins on Friday. The PBA will allow import changes at any time, even for the last game of the Finals. It’s not easy landing an import who fits a team’s style or system. A PBA coach said talent isn’t the problem but the ability to play how and what he’s supposed to.

That’s why six teams are bringing back imports for the second conference. They’ve been scouted and tested. Their return is an indication that they’ve passed the test. The comebacking imports are Mahindra’s James White, TNT KaTropa’s Denzel Bowles (previously played in four seasons with the Purefoods franchise), NLEX’s Wayne Chism (previously played in three seasons for Rain Or Shine, now reunited with coach Yeng Guiao), Rain Or Shine’s Shawn Taggart (played for GlobalPort last season), Barangay Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee (played for Ginebra in the Governors Cup last season) and Phoenix’ Eugene Phelps (played for the Fuel Masters in the Governors Cup last season).

Phoenix coach Ariel Vanguardia settled for the under-sized Phelps, who’s 6-4 15/16, after failing to land 6-10 Jarrid Famous, 6-9 Brandon Costner and 6-9 Ekene Ibekwe. Even former Alaska import Diamon Simpson was on Vanguardia’s wish list but he’s under contract in Israel.  Famous’ rights are held by GlobalPort until after this conference. GlobalPort will keep Famous’ rights and call him up in case original pick Sean Williams doesn’t work out. Blackwater also tried to pry Famous out of GlobalPort.

Costner, 29, played four years for North Carolina State and has experience as an import in Belgium, France and China. While waiting for Phoenix’ offer, Costner went ahead to sign a contract with Cacigues de Humacao in the Puerto Rican league. Ibekwe’s name came up during Nigerian national coach Will Voigt’s recent visit to work a week with the Fuel Masters. Ibekwe, 31, played for Nigeria at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics. He saw action in four years with the University of Maryland and played in Puerto Rico, Spain, Lebanon, Israel, Czech Republic, Russia, Australia and Germany. Phoenix would’ve had to offer a big contract for Ibekwe to leave his team in Turkey. Octavius Ellis was also in Vanguardia’s sights but Alaska took him instead.

“Eugene is our resident import like Sean Chambers was to Alaska,” said Vanguardia. “We’ll keep him until the NBA D-League and other leagues in Europe finish as there may be bigger imports available. Eugene just ended his contract in Taiwan.”

Rain Or Shine coach Caloy Garcia flew in 6-10 Anthony Jones of Baylor University to test him for a week. Jones, 27, had played in Denmark, Colombia, Finland, Switzerland and Indonesia which aren’t known for high-caliber leagues. He lasted three days with Rain Or Shine.

“Jones is more of a wing,” said Garcia. “He’s a good shooter but we need an import who can help us in the inside especially in defense.” So the job went to Taggart who’d been released by GlobalPort. Taggart, 31, was measured 6-9 by the PBA and averaged a whopping 36.4 points and 14.8 rebounds with the Batang Pier last season. The former University of Memphis forward had played in Israel, Spain, China, Ukraine, Turkey, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. His college teammates included Derrick Rose and former Alaska import Rob Dozier.

San Miguel Beer coach Leo Austria initially thought of enlisting 6-9 Dominic McGuire of Fresno State. McGuire was the Washington Wizards’ second round pick in the 2007 NBA draft and played for seven teams in six seasons. He averaged 2.7 points in 342 total games, including 84 starts, with Washington, Sacramento, Charlotte, Golden State, Toronto, New Orleans and Indiana. 

But Austria changed his mind after McGuire bombed out playing poorly for Mighty Sports in the recent Dubai Invitationals. McGuire lacked aggressiveness and consistency on both ends. San Miguel team manager Gee Abanilla eventually signed up 6-8 Charles Rhodes of Mississippi State.