Former NBA players Cory Jefferson and Sean Williams pit their skills against each other as Alaska Milk and GlobalPort clash in the 5:15 p.m.mainer of the second play date of the 2017 PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Cuneta AstrodomeSaturday.
Jefferson was the 60th pick in the 2014 NBA Draft by the San Antonio Spurs, later playing for the Brooklyn Nets and the Phoenix Suns while Williams was the No. 17 selection by New Jersey in the 2007 Draft who suited up with the Nets, the Dallas Mavs and the Boston Celtics.
Both are highly regarded players but Jefferson is at a disadvantage owing to his late arrival, being a last-minute replacement to Octavius Ellis.
A product of Baylor U which he helped to the NIT championship in 2013, the 6-foot-9 Jefferson flew in Thursday afternoon and practiced with the Aces only Friday in preparation for their game against Williams and the Batang Pier.
Nonetheless, Alaska coach Alex Compton is hopeful they can fare well against GlobalPort with their team that placed second behind San Miguel Beer in the Philippine Cup elimination round.
Sponsored content: With imports Shane Edwards and Rob Doziers, the Aces finished second to the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2016 Commissioner’s Cup.
GlobalPort missed the playoff play of the last Commissioner’s Cup and wound up sixth in the recent all-Filipino tourney.
The Batang Pier, however, are confident they can contend for the crown in this tourney with Williams in tow.
They’re hopeful Williams’ huge inside presence could well complement the backcourt brilliance of Terrence Romeo and Stanley Pringle.
Uncertain, however, is the status of Romeo for the GlobalPort-Alaska game.
He missed Gilas Pilipinas’ three-day training camp in Splendido Taal Country Club as he was sick.
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