TNT import holds Grand Slam key
MANILA —Talk N’ Text’s chances of nailing just the fifth Grand Slam in Philippine Basketball Association history could very well rest on the shoulders of its import.
Cyrus Mann, Sean Chambers and Billy Ray Bates have gone down in league history as some of the greatest imports of all time, not only because of their skills, but also because they guided their respective squads to complete coveted Grand Slams.
Mann was the pillar of strength of the 1976 Crispa crew that completed the first treble. Crispa rode Billy Ray Bates to its second triple crown in 1983 while Chambers helped Alaska to the 1996—and latest—feat.
The other Grand Slam team was San Miguel Beer in 1989, which did it behind a deep and talented mix of locals led by former four-time MVP Ramon Fernandez and all-time greats Samboy Lim and Hector Calma.
“The import will make all the difference for all the teams, especially for Talk ‘N Text, because of its handicap,” said Tommy Manotoc, the 1983 architect of Crispa and the man responsible for bringing Bates to the country.
Talk ‘N Text will be allowed an import of not more than 6-feet-2 in height, and Manotoc said that Maurice Baker, the National Basketball Association vet that the Texters signed, should be able to play more than the guard spot for the team to succeed.
“The problem with their import is that he is a guard and he will come into a team that has the best guard rotation in the league,” Manotoc said. “I think Baker should be able to play big underneath, otherwise, the other teams have the advantage.”
Manotoc’s opinion is based on the fact that Baker might take out either Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro or Ryan Reyes from their comfort zones being a natural guard.
“If that happens, the import will, in effect, not be truly productive for the team because he will be taking the spot of one great player among Alapag, Castro and Reyes away.”
Also limited to 6-2 imports are sister teams San Miguel, Barangay Ginebra and Derby Ace. Alaska, Meralco, Air21 and Rain or Shine have been given 6-foot-4 imports.
Only Powerade, eliminated in each of the first two conferences, will have a 6-foot-6 import for the conference that gets going on June 11, tentatively in Tacloban.
