Meralco import Allen Durham. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/ INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—After a disappointing ending to Meralco’s PBA Commissioner’s Cup campaign, the Bolts are looking to bring in a familiar face for the season-ending conference.
Head coach Norman Black said they’re looking to bring back two-time Best Import Allen Durham for the Governors’ Cup—a conference where the Bolts have experienced relative success over the past three years.
“We just haven’t decided what we’re going to do yet, but it’s a strong possibility that AD will be back,” said Black after the 108-103 loss to the Aces. “He gives us what we need and… in the past he’s been a perfect fit for us so we hope we can work things out with him.”
Durham was able to lead Meralco to the finals of the 2016 and 2017 Governors’ Cups where they lost both to Barangay Ginebra.
The Bolts’ campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup has ended in disappointing fashion after a late-game collapse against in Alaska in its shot for the last playoff berth.
The Bolts, who beat San Miguel to set up the playoff against Alaska, held a two-possession lead against the Aces in the final 20 seconds only to see it disappear and lose in the extra period.
Black admitted that the import changes in such a short mid-season conference did not do the Bolts’ any good, unlike other teams who stuck with the first-choice imports.
Meralco, on its part, first had Gani Lawal and Jimmie Lee Taylor for eight matches before opting to bring in Delroy James in the final four games, including the eighth seed playoff.
“Changing imports three times probably didn’t help things at all,” said Black. “I think if you notice most of the teams that are doing well, they have their imports from start to finish. That’s always been the case in the PBA.”