MANILA – Twelve reinforcements – seven returnees and four newcomers – are spicing up the season-ending 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup, which opens Friday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.
Defending champion Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings will again rely on Justin Brownlee as it aims for a three-peat while back-to-back runner-up Meralco Bolts will still bank on Allen Durham.
San Miguel Beermen also brought back two-time Best Import awardee Arizona Reid while one-time PBA Best Import winner Romeo Travis will now suit up for Magnolia Hotshots.
Other returning imports are Rain or Shine Elasto Painters’ J’Nathan Bullock, TNT KaTropa’s Mike Glover, Phoenix Fuel Masters’ Eugene Phelps, and Blackwater Elite’s Henry Walker.
Among the newbie imports are Alaska Aces’ Mike Harris, Columbian Dyip’s Akeen Wright, NorthPort Batang Pier’s Rashad Wood, and NLEX Road Warriors’ Olu Ashaolu.
Among newcomers Harris hsd the most decent resume, having played for the NBA squads Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards and Utah Jazz. He is also an MVP winner in the NBA D-League.
Among locals three are set to play for new teams – Calvin Abueva is now with Fuel Masters, Karl Dehesa with Aces and Raymon Jamito with Bolts. Returning to the PBA are Philip Paniamogan and Pedrito Galanza, who were signed by Road Warriors.
Set to face each other in the first game at 4:30 p.m. are Bolts and Dyip. The match between KaTropa and the shorthanded Road Warriors will follow at 7 p.m./PN
