Gin Kings, Elite to bring back Brownlee, Walker

MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra and Blackwater are bringing back their old tested imports after the PBA All-Star break as they try to salvage their respective campaigns in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup and at the same make an early preparation for the next conference.

Justin Brownlee is taking over from Chuck Garcia while Henry Walker is replacing Jarrid Famous. Both Brownlee and Walker will stay with the Kings and the Elite all the way to the Govenors’ Cup.

Meanwhile, Phoenix Petroleum will have to decide whether to stick with Eugene Phelps or reactivate James White.

Phelps, Phoenix’s resident import in the Governors Cup, has played one game as an import sub to White who’s currently on the injured list.

Ginebra is at 1-3 while Blackwater is on the brink of elimination with a 0-6 slate.

“Justin will join us in practice immediately and suit up for our June 1 game versus Meralco. I’m sorry to see Chuck Garcia go. He was a great guy and very coachable. We wish him the best in his next assignment,” said Ginebra coach Tim Cone.

Brownlee is a champion import, having led the Kings to back-to-back Governors Cup championships and the San Miguel Alab Pilipinas to a title run in the recent ABL season.

He has had a stint with the Gin Kings in the Commissioner’s Cup last year but was unsuccessful as they bowed to the TNT KaTropa Texters in the semifinals.

Walker, meanwhile, brought the Blackwater Elite to the post-elims play in last year’s Governors Cup.

The five-year NBA veteran had previous PBA tours of duty with Alaska Milk and NLEX.

Meanwhile, the bulk of the PBA All-Star delegation departs today for Davao for the kickoff leg of the 2018 All-Star extravaganza at Digos City, Davao del Sur tomorrow.

Gilas Pilipinas will go up against the PBA Mindanao selection in Digos, then tangle with the Luzon All-Stars in Batangay City on Friday. It will take on the Visayan All-Stars in Iloilo on Sunday.

An added treat in the Digos City event is the Legends shootout featuring four shooting tandems in Allan Caidic/Secretary Bong Go, Kenneth Duremdes/Sen. Manny Pacquiao, Peter June Simon/Presidential son-in-law Mans Carpio, and Scottie Thompson/Major Michael Sabsal.

Governor Mark Cagas will be a special guest at ringside to open the initial leg of the three-phase event backed by Peak Sports Apparel, Molten, PBA Rush-Cignal, Nature’s Spring, TAGHeuer, Gatorade, and Rain or Shine.