Kings Play With New Import

Kings Play With New Import
By WAYLON GALVEZ
March 3, 2012, 11:03pm

Games Sunday (Ynares Sports Center, Antipolo City)

4:15 p.m. — Ginebra vs Powerade

6:30 p.m. — Rain or Shine vs Petron Blaze


MANILA, Philippines — Barangay Ginebra parades a new import in former NBA player Jackson Vroman when it takes on Powerade Sunday in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Ynares Sports Center in Antipolo City.

The 6-10 Vroman replaced Chris Alexander, a non-factor in the Kings’ 2-1 win-loss record.

The game is set at 4:15 p.m. before the 6:30 p.m. game between Rain or Shine and Petron Blaze.

The Boosters will try to win their third straight game after a 0-2 start, but the Elasto Painters are determined to improve their own playoff chance after going 1-3 in their first four games, including a setback to the Kings in Dubai.

The Kings are coming off an 89-88 win against Rain or Shine in Dubai last week, but the coaching staff decided to let go of Alexander who guided them to the Fiesta Cup title in 2008.

In came Vroman, who played two seasons in the NBA for the Phoenix Suns and the New Orleans Hornets. He was originally tabbed 31st overall by the Chicago Bulls during the 2004 NBA Rookie Draft.

Aside from his stint in the NBA, the 30-year-old Vroman is a journeyman, having played pro ball in various countries like the Iran, Spain, South Korea and in China, where he recently finished playing for the Jiangsu Dragons.

In international competitions, Vroman played for Lebanon as a naturalized player, teaming up with the likes of Fadi El Khatib and Joe Vogel.

“He’s in good shape. We’re hoping that he can help us with his experience,” Ginebra mentor Siot Tanquingcen of Vroman, who suffered a broken nose when he was accidentally hit by Rico Villanueva during the Kings' practice session.

“We have to get a good start and try to play more consistently. Defense is going to be crucial on our end because they can put up numbers in bunches,” Tanquingcen added.

Powerade is nursing a 101-91 loss to Barako Bull Friday night, the Tigers’ first setback after a perfect 2-0 start.

“It will be another test of character for us,” said Powerade coach Bo Perasol, who will rely on import Dwayne Jones and the ‘big three’ of Gary David, Marcio Lassiter and Jvee Casio.

“How do we bounce back off a loss? We’ll know in this game. We know the importance of every game, we have to battle it out.”

Source: The Manila Bulletin