TNT taps Mario Little as import; Madanly looks ‘stronger’
Michael Madanly previously played for the NLEX Road Warriors. PBA IMAGES
Michael Madanly, the scoring champ in the 2007 FIBA Asia Championship from Syria, is bringing his act to Tropang TNT from NLEX in the coming PBA Governors Cup.
“Mukhang mas lumakas,” said TNT team manager Virgil Villavicencio of Madanly whom they acquired as Asian reinforcement after the NLEX Road Warriors opted to sign up Lebanese Rodrigue Akl.
TNT’s regular import is ex-Kansas Jawhawk Mario Little who flew in Monday to take over from Jason Maxiell, who measured a little over the 6-foot-5 height ceiling.
Madanly, who is also veteran of the Chinese and the Lebanese leagues, will likely to play a key role for TNT especially in the absence of Jayson Castro, Troy Rosario, Ranidel de Ocampo, Ryan Reyes, Matt Rosser, Larry Fonacier and Kelly Williams in the early goings of the tourney.
Rosser, Fonacier and Williams are nursing injuries while Castro, Rosario, De Ocampo and Reyes are likely to take some rest after the FIBA Olympic qualifier.
Warm bodies left in the TNT camp are Moala Tautuaa, Dylan Ababou, Harvey Carey, Aaron Aban, Jai Reyes, Alex Nuyles, new acquisition Kris Rosales and couples of tryouts.
“Yan yung natirang pinupukpok ni coach Jong (Uichico) at malaking tulong si Madanly,” said Villavincencio.
Madanly is known as a scorer anywhere he’s been, including in the Asian meet in Tokushima in 2007 where he averaged a whopping 33.1 points per game.
Among the Asian imports he’s facing in the coming Governors Cup are Akl, Meralco’s Mohammad Jamshidi, Blackwater’s Imad Qahwash, Phoenix Petroleum’s Lee Kwan Hee and Globalport’s Omar Krayem.
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