FILE PHOTO – TNT Import Ivan Johnson. PBA IMAGES
Alab Pilipinas is bringing in the big guns this as it signed up Ivan Johnson as its first World Import for the coming Asean Basketball League season.
The menacing 6-foot-8 bruiser is undoubtedly a huge addition for the Philippine team and immediately propels the squad among the favorites.
Johnson has proven to be a winner having led TNT to a PBA title in the 2015 PBA Commissioner’s Cup.
The former NBA veteran returned to the PBA the following year, but was handed a lifetime ban, which was later downgraded to a one-year suspension by the league after disrespecting commissioner Chito Narvasa.
Johnson last saw action for Sagesse in the Lebanese Basketball League, where he averaged 17.3 points on 33 percent shooting from three, on top of 7.8 rebounds last season.
The 33-year-old, though, is expected to be in a better state of mind for the regional tournament with Jimmy Alapag, a respected figure not only in the Philippines but also in Asia, calling the shots for Alab.
So far, joining Johnson in the Alab Pilipinas roster are reigning ABL Local MVP Bobby Ray Parks and returning Heritage Import Lawrence Domingo.