Barangay Ginebra test Jeffers vs NLEX
Othyus Jeffers, an NBA veteran who stirred the imagination of PBA fans in one explosive game with TNT in 2014, finally struts his wares on the PBA floor once again Friday night.
All eyes will be on Jeffers as Barangay Ginebra and NLEX clash in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum Friday night.
It’s been a long wait for the PBA fans since Jeffers sizzled with 38 points, 13 rebounds and two steals to lead the Tropang Texters past the Meralco Bolts, 105-99, two years ago.
His stint with TNT then was cut short by a contractual problem with the Minnesota Timberwolves. After that one game, the 6-foot-5 slasher/gunner flew back to the US to fix his problem with the Timberwolves.
“Facing Ginebra in our first game will be tough. Knowing how coach Tim prepares his team, we have our hands full,” said NLEX coach Boyet Fernandez.
“Plus with Jeffers as their import, it will be a long night if we don’t commit ourselves to playing defense,” Fernandez also said.
But at least, the Road Warriors will come out with an import they’re well familiar with.
Al Thornton, himself a legitimate NBA veteran with stints with the LA Clippers, the Washington Wizards and the Golden State Warriors, is back for a second tour of duty in the local pro league.
Both Jeffers and Thornton are highly touted players.
In his best season in the NBA, Thornton averaged a whopping 16.8 points a game.
Jeffers had decent showings in the NBA with Utah, San Antonio, Washington and Minnesota.
Before hooking up with the Timberwolves, Jeffers, earned co-MVP honors in the NBA D-League by posting averages of 20.9 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.2 steals.
At Ginebra, Jeffers could well complement big men Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar.
The Ginebra-NLEX tussle is a matchup between two teams that bombed out in the quarterfinals in the recent PBA Philippine Cup.
The Kings were bundled out by the Globalport Batang Pier while the Road Warriors were eased out by the Tropang Texters.
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