AFTER their quarterfinal runs within the PBA Governors’ Cup, NLEX and Converge are aiming to take it further in the approaching Commissioner’s Cup with former NBA players as spearheads.
The Road Warriors are parading Ed Davis, a 12-year NBA vet who suited up for Toronto, Memphis, LA Lakers, Portland, Brooklyn, Utah, Minnesota and Cleveland before taking his act overseas.
NLEX coach Jong Uichico expects the 6-foot-9 Mr. Davis to create a direct impact for the squad, which is raring to proceed the drive within the mid-season conference after absorbing a 1-3 defeat to TNT within the Governors’ Cup Last-8.
“We’re thrilled to have Ed (Davis) on board,” Mr. Uichico said of the 35-year-old Mr. Davis, whose most up-to-date stint was with Cangrejeros de Santurce in Puerto Rico early this 12 months.
“He brings a wealth of experience and leadership that we consider will help us. We’re optimistic that he’ll find a way to match up against the league’s top big men and make an enormous difference in our campaign this conference.”
For his or her part, the FiberXers are fielding Cheick Diallo, who had previous stints with Recent Orleans, Phoenix and Detroit.
The 6-foot-8, Mali native Mr. Diallo shores up the frontline of Converge, which recently pushed mighty San Miguel to the limit within the quarters before taking the exit in five games.
Meanwhile, Phoenix Super LPG, after a woeful 1-9 win-loss card within the Governors’ Cup, is bringing in Euro leagues campaigner Donovan Smith.
“He’ll provide a much needed presence inside,” the Fuel Masters said of the 6-foot-10 Mr. Smith.
Messrs. Davis, Diallo and Smith are three latest faces set to strut their stuff within the second conference tipping off Nov. 27.
Magnolia, one other quarterfinalist within the Governors’ Cup, is pinning its hope on balik-import Ricardo Ratliffe, Korea’s former naturalized player.
The 6-foot-8 Mr. Ratliffe has spent most of his time in Korea in between his previous tenure with the Hotshots in 2016 and 2017. Mr. Ratliffe had a fruitful Korean Basketball League profession, winning three titles and three Player of the Yr honors. Last July, he suited up for Changsa Wantian Yongsheng in China’s National Basketball League before reuniting with the Hotshots. — Olmin Leyba
