10 Filipino players bolster ABL teams as Heritage Imports
Christian Standhardinger. Photo by Randolph B. Leongson/ INQUIRER.net
Filipinos have long been regarded as the best basketball players in Southeast Asia.
So it shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Filipino ballers are coveted in the region with 10 players enlisted as Heritage Imports this upcoming 2017-2018 ABL season.
Headlining the list is 2017 PBA Draft’s top overall pick Christian Standhardinger, who will bolster the already potent Hong Kong Eastern Sports Club.
The Fil-German forward will reinforce the deadly frontline for the defending champion Long Lions for the next six months in Hong Kong before debuting for the San Miguel Beermen in the PBA.
Fil-Am playmaker Jason Brickman will once again orchestrate the offense for Mono Vampire Basketball Club.
Ex-PBA players have also taken their act to the ABL hoping to reinvigorate their careers overseas.
Former Ginebra first-rounder James Forrester seeks to revive his career with ABL newcomer Formosa Dreamers of Taiwan, ex-Blackwater forward Reil Cervantes will reinforce Westports Malaysia Dragons, and former GlobalPort slasher AJ Mandani will fortify last season’s runner-up Singapore Slingers.
Hardworking forward Lawrence Domingo goes on a return trip for Alab Pilipinas as the 23-year-old will once again serve as the Heritage Import for the home crew.
The ABL also provides a new opportunity for unheralded Filipino ballers, some of which are hoping to get a second wind in their basketball careers, or chance to introduce themselves to the public.
Guard Paul Zamar of UE partners with Brickman in Thailand with Mono Vampire, while former Adamson forward Patrick Cabahug teams up with Cervantes for the Dragons.
Nanhai Kung Fu Basketball Club of China will also roll the dice with little-known Caelan Tiongson of Biola University and Jonathan Bermillo of Bishop’s University.
ABL tips off on Friday with the Slingers taking on Nanhai Kung Fu in China, while Alab opens its campaign at Mall of Asia Arena against Hong Kong Eastern on Sunday.
