Ex-import recalls PBA days

With the PBA welcoming back imports in the Governors Cup this month after a two-year wait due to the pandemic, it’s refreshing to know that an NBA first round draft pick remembers seeing action in the league and said the other day the Philippines was his favorite country to play in because of the fans.

DerMarr Johnson, now 41, was Atlanta’s first round choice in the 2000 NBA draft and played seven seasons in the majors, suiting up for the Hawks, New York, Denver and San Antonio in 344 games. Early in his pro career, he figured into a car accident when his Mercedes Benz S600 smashed into a tree and caught fire. Johnson, who fell asleep at the wheel, cracked four vertebrae in his neck, barely escaping death and total paralysis. He made a miraculous recovery and returned to action after a year. Overseas, Johnson played in Italy, Puerto Rico, China, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Venezuela, Dominican Republic and the Philippines.

In the 2011-12 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, Johnson suited up for Barako Bull but played in only four games, averaging 20 points. He suffered a groin injury against Rain or Shine in an out-of-town contest in Dubai and limped off the court after scoring three points in seven minutes. Johnson got Barako off to a hot start in the conference with a 98-78 win over Alaska then coach Junel Baculi’s squad lost three in a row. Johnson’s best showing came in a 97-88 loss to Air 21, collecting 37 points and 11 rebounds. Two years later, Johnson was back in Manila to play in a charity game featuring Allen Iverson. He hit 24 points to lead all scorers and knocked down a game-tying triple to pave the way for teammate Kiefer Ravena’s winning basket. Johnson played with Ravena, Jeron Teng and Mac Belo on a team that beat Iverson’s squad, 98-96, at the MOA Arena. Iverson, however, didn’t play and his teammates included Jerry Codiñera, Willie Miller and Renren Ritualo.

“I love the Philippines and wish I could go back,” said Johnson. “I was treated first-class, like a real pro. The fans love the game and the players. When I was over there, they knew who I was, my stats, my NBA career. Unfortunately, my PBA stint was cut short by an injury but I went back with Iverson and enjoyed the experience. I’m still in touch with my former Barako teammate Dorian Peña. I remember my other teammates like Danny Seigle, Don Allado, Mick Pennisi and Willie Miller. Of all the countries I’ve played in, the Philippines was my No. 1.”

Johnson earned his spurs at the University of Cincinnati, the same school that produced other ex-PBA imports like Ryan Fletcher, Damon Flint, Art Long and Pete Mickael. Now, he’s the director of player development with the Bearcats varsity and excited to help in the progress of 7-1 Fil-Hawaiian teenaged recruit Sage Tolentino who’ll join the team next schoolyear. “Cincinnati’s rich basketball tradition goes back to Oscar Robertson and there was an era when we played bully ball with guys like Kenyon Martin and Mickael,” he said. “Then we focused on skilled players. I was a skilled player myself and so is Sage. He’ll be ready for the physicality of the game with our strength and conditioning coach Mike Rehfeldt, one of the best in the country.”

Cincinnati head coach Wes Miller was a walk-on in trying out for the University of North Carolina team of coach Roy Williams and cracked the lineup. He was on the Tar Heels’ NCAA title squad of 2005 and among his teammates during his collegiate career were former PBA imports David Noel, Rashad McCants and Alex Stepheson. Miller coached 10 years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and piloted the varsity to 20-win records in his last five seasons before joining Cincinnati. Tolentino will be in good hands with Miller, Johnson, Rehfeldt and assistant coaches Chad Dollar, Mike Roberts and Andre Morgan. Tolentino’s Hamilton High School coach Kevin Higgins said Ohio is a hotbed of solid collegiate basketball programs with Cincinnati, Xavier, Ohio State and Dayton. “Of course, LeBron James came from Ohio, too,” said Higgins.