FORUMS.INTERBASKET.NET
MANILA, Philippines—Defending champion Talk ‘N Text breaks in a new import in rebounding demon Donnell Harvey in its clash with Air21 even as Barangay Ginebra seeks a fourth straight win in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Harvey, who averaged 14 boards a game in the recent Chinese pro league despite being listed as just 6-foot-8, makes his PBA debut in the 5:15 p.m. contest where he will be ranged with naturalized national team center Marcus Douthit.
And he is not just a straight out rebounder but a huge scorer, too, after finishing with an average of 24 points for the Tianjin R, giving the Texters another legitimate offensive threat outside of their high-profile local lineup.
The only thing that concerns coach Chot Reyes at this time is cohesion, with Harvey having practiced just three times with the squad after arriving Saturday night from the United States.
“Air21 has a high-quality import who has played well with them,” Reyes said. “This will be our first time to play with Donnell and we would need to be ready to adjust on the fly tomorrow (today).”
The Gin Kings, meanwhile, will again be bannered by the talented Jackson Vroman in their 7:30 p.m. date with the B-Boys, who are hanging on by a thread in the tournament after losing their last four games.
Ginebra will be coming off a swashbuckling victory over Powerade at the Ynares Center in Antipolo last Sunday where Vroman scored 19 points, had 12 rebounds and five blocks in limited minutes.
And that has given the Ginebra locals all the confidence to do their thing offensively, knowing that Vroman will be somewhere in the shaded lane to bail them out if ever.
“Being a player, if you see that your import is doing well, the level of play of the locals is raised,” said Tanquingcen.
At 1-4, Meralco is practically out of the playoff picture with just four games to go and nothing less than a sweep could resucitate its bid to make the playoffs.