Cone, Kings test import gambit Friday

Ginebra Kings. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

CROWD-FAVORITE Barangay Ginebra, which opted for one of the shortest imports in Othyus Jeffers, and NLEX slug it out Friday as four more teams debut in the Oppo PBA Commissioner’s Cup at Smart Araneta Coliseum in Cubao.

The Gin Kings will be playing in just their second conference under the multititled Tim Cone, but expectations for a first championship since 2008 have shot higher now that players and coach have adjusted to each other.

Game time is at 7 p.m. with the Road Warriors bringing back the talented Al Thornton even as GlobalPort, on the heels of its first Final Four appearance, battles Mahindra in the 4:15 p.m. game.

The Batang Pier, which lost to Alaska in the Philippine Cup semifinals, will be spearheaded by the former San Miguel Beer import in the Asean Basketball League, Brian Williams, against the Enforcers and Augustus Gilchrist.

Thornton is easily the most decorated among the current crop of imports with an NBA All-Rookie Team inclusion under his belt and a ton of NBA experience.

Last season, even with the injured knee that has kept him from a long NBA career, Thornton led the Road Warriors to the quarterfinals and was clearly still a solid offensive force.

This will be a good match-up with the 7-foot Greg Slaughter of Ginebra to be ranged yet again with 6-foot-10 man mountain Asi Taulava with Road Warrior Sean Anthony also looking to come up with another super conference.

Taulava and Anthony played so well in the Philippine Cup that they eventually made it to the top five in the statistical points race, finishing third and fourth, respectively, just behind San Miguel Beer’s June Mar Fajardo and Slaughter.

Jeffers played one game, with Tropang TNT, a couple of years ago and got a call from Ginebra, which will obviously try to maximize Slaughter and the 6-foot-9 Japeth Aguilar underneath as the Kings opted for a 6-foot-4 import.

Jeffers scored 38 points in that only game and could be the go-to-guy the Kings are looking for.

The defending champion Tropang Texters got off to an impressive start on opening day Wednesday by bringing down Blackwater, 108-102, even with import Ivan Johnson serving out a one-game suspension.

Meralco, one of the first two casualties in the season-opening conference, also debuted with aplomb, scoring a 90-86 decision of Star and former Best Import Denzel Bowles.