Star parades new import vs NLEX
Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net
The Star Hotshots had sent home a two-time champion and one-time Best Import awardee in favor of Joel Wright.
Coach Jason Webb is now keeping his fingers crossed Wright is the right import that can make them contend for the PBA Governors Cup championship.
“We’re hoping to right the ship and sail towards the right direction. Hopefully, Joel Wright can help us do that,” said Webb.
The Hotshots start their journey with Wright as they go up against the NLEX Road Warriors at 4 p.m. Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
The two teams are both languishing near the cellar with identical 3-1 win-loss slates.
Star’s lone win came at the expense of Globalport. Its losses were against Mahindra, Blackwater and San Miguel Beer. NLEX, meanwhile, won its initial game against Blackwater then dropped its next three games versus San Miguel Beer, Barangay Ginebra and TNT Ka Tropa.
Both have to start picking up W’s now if they’re to make the eight-team playoff phase.
Marqus Blakely’s long tenure as the Star Hotshots’ resident import came to an end on Wright’s entry.
The Hotshots took advantage of the All-Star break to bring in Wright, a Texas State alum, to take over from Blakely, the team’s regular reinforcement in the PBA Governors Cup dating back to 2013.
Blakely is among the best imports in the Star franchise history, leading the team to back-to-back championships in 2013 and 2014. The former Vermont U stalwart was named Best Import in 2013.
But Blakely has seemingly slowed down as suggested by his average of only 18.0 points – the lowest in his five seasons with the team.
Coming in his place is Wright, a Brooklyn, New York native who has suited up for the Idaho Stampede and the Delaware 87ers in the NBA D-League.
Wright, 26, averaged 14.5 points and 6.1 rebounds in 48 games in the 2015 NBA D-League season.
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