We take a look at the five faces that PBA fans are already familiar with:
Air 21 Express – Zach Graham
Sports5 file photo/Paul Ryan Tan
In many ways, Zach Graham was a throwback to earlier days of the PBA, when imports were unstoppable scoring machines. In fact, last season, Air 21 coach Franz Pumaren said his import reminded him of a former teammate, Lamont Strothers of San Miguel Beer.
Last year, Graham had to carry a heavy scoring load for the Express, and he delivered for the most part, showing his scoring prowess from all over the floor. Even as defenses ganged up on him because of lack of scoring help from his teammates, he still managed to put up 37.6 points per game on excellent 40 percent shooting from beyond the arc. In one game against the Powerade Tigers, he exploded for 51 points.
This time, Graham won’t be asked to carry such a heavy load, with KG Canaleta joining the Express and emerging as a go-to scorer. It will be interesting to see how Graham adjusts to what should be a reduced role, and how much more dangerous he could be when the other teams’ defenses aren’t focused solely on him.
Meralco Bolts – Mario West
AKTV file photo/Paolo Papa
The indefatigable Mario West was a late selection for the Meralco Bolts, whose original choice DJ Kennedy was measured to tall for the conference’s height limit. West is scheduled to fly in on Thursday, just a day before Meralco’s opening match against the Petron Blaze Boosters.
West’s style of play fits perfectly with the name of his squad, because he brings so much energy on the court. An NBA veteran, he isn’t the best shooter and he doesn’t possess exceptional one-on-one skills. But he’s an energizer bunny on the court, often outhustling and outmuscling his opponents on the way to a 30.1 point per game average. With West replacing Champ Oguchi, Meralco booked its first semifinals appearance in franchise history, though it should be noted that six teams qualified for the round last season.
His intensity has a flip side as well; last year, he was involved in a tiff with Ogie Menor, where the import chased Air 21 enforcer in the locker room after the final buzzer. The incident drew West a P10,000 fine and a stern warning from the PBA. With his history, enforcers from other teams will likely try to get the goat of West this year.
Rain or Shine Elasto Painters – Arizona Reid
PBA/Nuki Sabio
Two seasons ago, Arizona Reid showcased dominant form for the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. With the dreadlocked forward leading the charge, the Elasto Painters almost made the finals, only falling short after an injury hobbled Reid in their final games. Even without making the championship round, Reid won Best Import honors for the Governors’ Cup in 2011.
Last year, Reid was unavailable, so Rain or Shine tapped Jamelle Cornley to reinforce the squad. The burly Cornley bullied his way to his own Best Import award before leading the Elasto Painters to their first finals appearance — and the franchise’s first title.
With Cornley embroiled in legal issues, Reid makes his return to Rain or Shine intent to prove that he can take the team just as far as his replacement did.
Reid can provided points in the post, though not quite as well as the much bulkier Cornley. But Reid is a more versatile scorer and a more athletic defender, and coach Yeng Guiao notes that he is a better fit for Rain or Shine’s run-and-gun outfit.
It should be noted that when Reid first played, the height limit for imports was 6-foot-4, a full inch shorter than the limit this time. Reid will be one of the smallest imports to suit up this season, and it’ll be interesting to see if that becomes a factor in his campaign.
San Mig Coffee Mixers – Marqus Blakely
AKTV/Paolo Papa
The versatile Marqus Blakely was a dominant presence all over the floor for the team known as the B-MEG Llamados last season. Averaging 22.4 points, 13.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 2.7 steals, and 2.6 blocks, he did everything short of handing out water bottles for teammates during games.
With top defender Marc Pingris still resting after his Gilas Pilipinas stint, San Mig Coffee is expected to lean hard on Blakely this conference. He was excellent for the team last year, leading the Llamados all the way to the finals even as they missed Joe Devance the whole tournament, falling short in Game Seven against Rain or Shine.
Interestingly, Blakely visibly struggled last year in his matchup against Jamelle Cornley, who used his size advantage against the B-MEG import to rule the paint. Without his nemesis Cornley in the tournament, Blakely could be an even more dominant presence in the Governors’ Cup.
Talk ‘N Text Tropang Texters – Tony Mitchell
Sports5 file/Paolo Papa
Among the imports playing in the tournament, the memories of Tony Mitchell are freshest in the minds of fans. The reigning NBA D-League Rookie of the Year saw action for the Tropang Texters in the semifinals of the Commissioner’s Cup as a last-ditch gamble by Talk ‘N Text against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel.
Despite a size disadvantage against Ginebra import Vernon Macklin, Mitchell burned the hoops for 38.9 points in his short three-game stint. On the negative side, he displayed a penchant for playing too much one-on-one and falling in love with his outside shot; he made just 40.4 percent of his field goals, including a miserable 24 percent from beyond the arc.
But his gunner days in the PBA are not about to be over. With Talk ‘N Text expected to miss Gilas Pilipinas stalwarts Jimmy Alapag, Jayson Castro, Ranidel De Ocampo, and Larry Fonacier for the early part of the tournament, it will be up to Mitchell to try to shoot the Tropang Texters to victory.
Source: http://www.interaksyon.com/interaktv/scouting-the-2013-governors-cup-imports-air-21-meralco-rain-or-shine-san-mig-coffee-talk-n-text
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