MANILA – NLEX Road Warriors and Meralco Bolts made their last playoffs push in the ongoing 2019 Honda PBA Commissioner’s Cup by bringing in their third import this conference.
The Road Warriors, currently with 1-7 win-loss record, has brought in Nigerian-Canadian Oluseyi Ashaolu to be their import for the rest of the conference, replacing ineffective Toni Mitchell.
Road Warriors head coach Joseller Guiao said they brought in Ashaolu for their last playoff push and also in preparation for their campaign in the 2019 PBA Governors’ Cup.
“We rather bring him early, acclimatize and make sure that he is in good shape,” Guiao said. “Puwede naman siya isabak na sa mga malalaking import ng ibang teams this conference.”
It was the 31-year-old Ashaolu’s second stint with the Road Warriors after his first tour of duty with the team in the 2018 PBA Governors’ Cup was cut short with various injuries.
The Bolts were also forced to bring in their third reinforcement in former NBA Developmental League player Delroy James to replace Gani Lawal, who is still nursing hamstring injury.
The 6-foot-8 James spent his collegiate years with Rhode Island before suiting up for the Tulsa 66ers of the NBA D-League. He also had stints as imports in Israel, Italy, Russia, Turkey, Greece and Lebanon.
James will be the third import the 3-5 Bolts has flown to the country after Lawal’s original replacement Jimmie Taylor failed to impress in his lone game against TNT KaTropa./PN
