Ex-PBA best import to lead Aguilas

TWO-TIME PBA Best Import awardee Arizona Reid and ex-University of the East ace Charles Mammie will power the Pacquiao Powervit Pilipinas Aguilas in the 2015 Asean Basketball League (ABL) which kicked off yesterday.

The Aguilas, who will also have boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao in their fold, will debut against the Thailand Mono Vampires tomorrow in Davao before flying to Kuala Lumpur to face the Westports Malaysia Dragons this Saturday.

Willie Miller, also a former two-time MVP in the PBA, Sunday Salvacion, Carlo Sharma and Jondan Salvador will also suit up for the Aguilas who will be coached by Zaldy Realubit, another ex-PBA player.

Reid was the PBA Best Import in 2011 and 2014 while playing for Rain or Shine while Mammie, a 6-foot-7 defender from Sierra Leone, ended his playing years with the Warriors last year.

“I will focus on rebounding. I will do the odd jobs inside the paint. I’m the garbage man,” said Mammie on Tuesday during the weekly Philippine Sportswriters Association (PSA) Forum at Shakey’s Malate.

Mammie added he’s counting on Reid to do the heavy scoring.

The Hi-Tech Bangkok City-Singapore Slingers duel opened action yesterday in Bangkok. On Nov. 4, the Aguilas will host the Saigon Heat in General Santos City, hometown of the eight-division boxing champion.

Since the ABL was formed in 2009, two Philippine teams have already won the crown—the Philippine Patriots in the inaugural year and the San Miguel Beermen in 2013. The Philippines did not field a team last year.