Thanks to KQ

Rain or Shine coach Yeng Guiao said the other day he took Kevin Quiambao’s advice to give Jaylen Johnson a chance to play for the Elasto Painters in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup even as the 6-9 former University of Louisville import put up unimpressive numbers with the Sono Skygunners in the Korean league this season.

Quiambao and Johnson were Sono teammates but last January, they parted ways. Johnson left the Skygunners after averaging 3.7 points, 2.9 rebounds and 8.9 minutes in 35 games. Guiao gambled on bringing in Johnson yet kept a line on Deon Thompson as a backup. Thompson led ROS to the Commissioner’s Cup semifinals last campaign and maintained contact with Guiao.

“KQ knows our style because he used to practice with us when still at La Salle,” said Guiao. “Coach Caloy (Garcia) asked KQ about JJ and the feedback was good. KQ suggested to try him out.” With the Skygunners, Johnson played second fiddle to main import Nathan Knight who’s averaging 17.6 points and 31.2 minutes. In the Korean league, a team is allowed to line up two imports for a game but only one may play at a time. The rule will change next season with two imports permitted to play simultaneously in the second and third quarters but only one at a time in the first and fourth. Johnson fell on Guiao’s laps and ROS couldn’t be luckier.

“Actually, getting an import who fits your system is luck,” said Guiao. “You just try to increase your probability of luck. In our case, we got lucky with JJ. He fits our team, comes to work every day, never complains and is coachable. He gets you numbers that you don’t notice until the end of the game. JJ can do anything, defend, rebound, score, pass and his teammates like him. He enjoys playing and you can tell by the way he smiles and dances on the court.”

The incident with Glenn Khobuntin was an aberration as it led to an ejection and a one-game suspension. Guiao said he can’t blame Johnson for retaliating after he got hit but it’s a lesson learned. Despite the bump, it›s been so far, so good for ROS. The team is off to a franchise-best 7-0 start. In the 124-117 win over Terrafirma last Wednesday, Johnson displayed his all-around wizardry by posting a triple double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. For the conference, he’s averaging 26.5 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 35:07 minutes, shooting 51.4 percent from the field. The chink in his armor is shooting 54.6 percent from the line.

Johnson played three years at Louisville where ex-PBA imports Kenny Payne, Billy Thompson and Jerry Eaves saw action. He suited up for the LA Clippers and Indiana in the NBA Summer League and barnstormed Lebanon, Israel, Uruguay, Taiwan, Turkey and Korea before landing in the PBA. Johnson’s mother Janetta was a major influence in his basketball career. She led the NCAA in blocked shots playing for the University of Wisconsin and was a pro in Portugal.