Is Vroman the man for Ginebra?

Is Vroman the man for Ginebra?

Barangay Ginebra may have found a gem of an import in Lebanese naturalized player Jackson Vroman, who flew in last Monday to replace balik-import Chris Alexander. If Vroman lives up to expectations and the Ginebra locals manage to work out their chemistry issues, then the Kings will be tough to beat in the Commissioner's Cup.

The six-ten Vroman was Lebanon's naturalized player during the 2009 FIBA-Asia Championships and the 2010 FIBA World Championships, and he brings a wealth of international experience. A couple of coaches from rival teams have privately said that he could make a big difference this conference, with one going so far as to say that Ginebra is one of the teams to beat now.

Of course, the same things were said when news first broke out that Alexander was coming back. After all, this was the same guy who led the Kings to their last championship in the 2007-08 season. But from the start it was clear that Alexander was showing the ill effects of his nine-month layoff from active play. Alexander actually started out well in his first game back for the Kings, an 84-82 win over Petron. He scored Ginebra's first 10 points and had 17 by the end of the first half as the Kings posted a 22-point lead midway through the second period. But then fatigue started to set in and he could only manage four points in the second half. Petron came roaring back to tie the game, and it took a Jayjay Helterbrand buzzer-beater to clinch the win for Ginebra. Afterwards, Coach Siot Tanquincen gave Alexander the benefit of the doubt for that lackluster second half, saying his import just needed a little more time to get back into game shape.

Although he grabbed 24 rebounds in Ginebra's second game, a 74-76 loss to Alaska, Alexander struggled on offense, chipping in only seven points. He fared better in Dubai against Rain or Shine with 14 points, but apparently this wasn't enough to convince team management to keep him. You have to feel sorry for the guy, because from all indications he genuinely wanted to play again for Ginebra. Then again, it's hard to ignore what the team stands to gain from his replacement.

In Vroman, the Kings will be getting a tall, agile and versatile player who can run the floor with ease and take it strong to the hole. He is also comfortable with his back to the basket, and moves well without the ball. If Vroman can deliver the goods and Kerby Raymundo and Dylan Ababou can mesh quickly with the mainstays, then it will be little wonder why some teams have suddenly started tagging the Kings as a powerhouse.

It's actually been a rather busy week for import agents. Aside from Ginebra and Meralco, which replaced Jarrid Famous with Earl Barron, Talk 'N Text is also scrambling for an import replacement after Omar Hassan Samhan tore his ACL against Alaska last Sunday.

The problem is, according to a team official I spoke to, all of the quality imports are now playing in China, so finding a replacement on such short notice is proving to be a difficult task. As such, TNT might play all-Filipino on Wednesday against B-Meg.

The status of Barako Bull import DerMarr Johnson, who suffered a groin injury in Dubai is also uncertain as of now, although I'm hearing they're already looking for a new import. Can't say I blame them, Johnson's NBA pedigree notwithstanding. Groin injuries take time to heal properly, and with the Energy near the bottom of the standings with a 1-3 record and a game against the unbeaten Powerade Tigers coming up on Friday, they desperately need a healthy reinforcement soon. But since imports are suddenly hard to come by (just ask TNT coach Chot Reyes, who has been ranting about it on Twitter since Monday), management just might decide to wait for Johnson's injury to heal. The Energy get a week off after Friday's game, so if they can't find a replacement before then, they could just wait and hope that Johnson is ready to go by March 9.

For those wondering why TNT or Barako Bull doesn't just enlist Alexander, the PBA has a rule preventing an import from playing for two teams in the same conference.

Source: yahoo news

maybe....how i wish madala nya sa championship ang bgk at mapagchampion nya ang bgk......