EYES ON NEW IMPORTS AS ELASTO PAINTERS COLLIDE WITH ACES
Rain or Shine reunites with old import Wayne Chism while Alaska connects with new import Damion James as the two teams, semifinal protagonists in the recent Philippine Cup semifinals, clash in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup eliminations Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Obviously, the two teams are looking to step up their playoffs aspirations in giving Rick Jackson and DJ Covington the pink slip.
The Elasto Painters are at joint third place with the Barako Bull Energy at 3-2 while the Aces are half-game behind at 2-2 as they set out for their battle at 7 p.m.
It’s an exciting rematch after the Aces bundled out the E-Painters, 4-2, in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown in the all-Filipino tourney.
Rain or Shine’s and Alaska’s moves to change imports didn’t come as a surprise.
The Elasto Painters had long been waiting for Chism’s availability.
A long, versatile player, Chism helped the E-Painters to a third place finish in the Commissioner’s Cup last year.
“Rick Jackson is not a bad import considering that we’re 3-2 with him,” said RoS coach Yeng Guiao. “But then, before Wayne left for the US last year, tinanong niya ako kung babalik pa siya, I told him, ‘Wayne, you’re coming back (next season).’
“Ang problema lang naman is di siya (Chism) ni-release ng team niya sa Israel kaya we had to look for another import. And when we finally got Rick Jackson days after, we were informed that Wayne already got his release papers.”
In James, the Aces, meanwhile, have a player with a glowing reputation taking over from DJ Covington who was among the shortest in the field.
James was a third team All-American while with Texas U in 2010 and later selected No. 24 overall by the Atlanta Hawks in the NBA Draft.
The Hobbs, New Mexico native later suited up with the New Jersey Nets and then with the San Antonio Spurs that won the NBA championship last year.
The Aces need a presence that will shore up the team struggling with injuries to Sonny Thoss and Jvee Casio. (SB)
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