NO IMPORT HEIGHT LIMIT FOR BARAKO BULL, GLOBALPORT, KIA, BLACKWATER IN GOVS’ CUP
With the Commissioner’s Cup eliminations ending last Wednesday, the teams falling into the imports’ height classification for the Governors’ Cup have likewise been set.
The teams’ Philippine Cup finish accounts for 60 percent in the determination while the standings at the end of the Commissioner’s Cup weighs 40 percent. The top 8 teams will have a height limit of 6-5, while the bottom four will have no height restrictions for their imports.
After computation, Barako Bull, GlobalPort, Kia, and Blackwater are the teams which can shop for giants while the rest will have to settle for imports no taller than 6-5.
Kia has already stated its intention to retain PJ Ramos for the third conference after the Puerto Rican giant helped them notch eye-popping wins over multi-titled teams San Miguel, Purefoods, Talk ‘N Text, and Alaska.
Barako Bull can also stay put with Solomon Alabi for the Governors’ Cup if the management still deems their 7-foot-1 Nigerian import fit. Of the four teams, only Barako Bull remains in the running in the Commissioner’s Cup. The Energy will go up against twice-to-beat Talk ‘N Text in the quarterfinals.
Finishing at the bottom of the standings in the first two conferences, Blackwater is also looking for stability as it seeks to retain naturalized Filipino Marcus Douthit in their lineup. However, obligations with the national team might dampen the Elite’s hopes of fielding Douthit once more as he will be joining coach Tab Baldwin’s camp for the 2015 SEABA Championship in April and the SEA Games in June.
GlobalPort has already expressed its intention to re-sign import Calvin Warner for the Governors’ Cup. But given the chance to enlist a taller import for the third conference, the Batang Pier management might rethink its moves and pick another reinforcement for the Governors’ Cup.
San Miguel will also keep Arizona Reid, as the Philippine Cup champs hope to do better in the third conference.
Rain or Shine also flew in their reinforcement early, as former Alaska import Wendell McKines will now strut his stuff for the Elasto Painters come the Governors’ Cup.
Marqus Blakely will also have his sixth go-round with Purefoods, as the Hotshots seek to snag the Governors’ Cup title for the third straight year.
Aside from the height restrictions, all teams can also opt to tap the services of an Asian reinforcement. That, however, comes with a height limit of 6-foot-3, giving every squad a chance to enlist at least 16 players, two being the reinforcements, for their Governors’ Cup rosters. (RL)
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