EX-BARAKO BULL IMPORT WHITE ARRIVES SUNDAY TO REPLACE BALKMAN
Rodney White will get his second tour of duty in the PBA, this time playing for the Petron Blaze Boosters.
He will replace the controversial Renaldo Balkman, who was banned and blacklisted from playing in the league recently.
Although White had agreed to sign a contract with Petron Blaze, the import won’t make it to his team’s out-of-town game against Rain or Shine, forcing the Boosters to play All-Filipino in Panabo City.
Sheryl Reyes, agent of White, said his import is set to leave Friday night from the United States and is expected to arrive in Manila on Sunday.
White previously suited up for Barako Bull, a team which he led to the semifinals of the 2012 Commissioner’s Cup. Although he was able to help the Energy Colas overachieve, the NBA veteran had to leave his squad due to family matters.
The 6-foot-9 forward is coming off a stint in the Venezuelan League.
White was chosen by Petron over another candidate, former Cleveland Cavaliers forward Samardo Samuels, whose NBA D-League contract needed to be bought out.
Meanwhile, the PBA won’t impose a fine on the Boosters, who will play all-Filipino in their game against the Elasto Painters.
In cases where the absence of an import is not the team’s fault, the club is given enough time to look for a replacement. PBA rules stipulate that the team will only be fined on its third game without an import. (RJ)
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