Ginebra may also part ways with Rodgers

Ginebra may also part ways with Rodgers
By Noli Cortez | March 11, 2014
LIKE San Miguel Beer, Ginebra now faces a very tough decision about its import.

After San Miguel Beer formally announced it had brought in a replacement for the highly-effective Josh Boone, a reliable source told Malaya-Business Insight Kings management is “very seriously” mulling the possibility of doing the same.

Former NBA journeymen Josh Powell and DJ White have been bruited about as probable replacement for Leon Rodgers, who is undoubtedly prolific but doesn’t have other qualities that could inspire his local teammates some more.

Ginebra is set to take on San Mig Super Coffee on Sunday and management is expected to come up with a decision within the week.

Management was reportedly forced to look for other options after the Kings absorbed a 96-112 loss to the Beermen last Sunday.

Rodgers scored a game-high 33 points on top of 11 rebounds in that game, bringing his averages to 32.0 and 9.5. But management wants more since Ginebra’s locals have been struggling.

Chris Ellis, Japeth Aguilar, Greg Slaughter and Mark Caguioa backstopped Rodgers in a 108-104 overtime victory over Barako Bull in their conference opener last Friday but no such support–except from Caguioa–came against SMB.

“Leon is a scorer, no doubt about it. But management wants somebody more energetic and has the toughness that can rub off on the locals,” said the insider.

“In fairness to Rodgers, it’s not entirely all his fault,” added the source. “Sabi nga ng management, kahit na daw araw-araw magpalit ng import, kung hindi maglalaro ng maayos ang mga locals wala ding mangyayari sa team.”

Rodgers, who once scored 66 points anchored on 15 triples while playing in China, admitted being frustrated.

“I’m just disappointed with myself. I haven’t found my rhythm yet. I get 30 points, but I’ve been missing a lot of threes,” said Rogers, who went 9-of-27 from the field and missed all his seven attempts from deep.

Playing sloppy and repeatedly beaten off the boards and in transition, the Kings also gave up a total 71 points off turnovers, fastbreaks and second chances, enabling the Beermen to post the wire-to-wire win.