AN array of quality reinforcements, mostly new faces, are out to steal the thunder from balik-imports Justin Brownlee of Barangay Ginebra and Rondae Hollis-Jefferson of TNT in the PBA Season 48 Commissioner's Cup kicking off Nov. 5.
Thomas Robinson, the No. 5 pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, makes his PBA debut as NLEX's reinforcement. Robinson was supposed to play in last year's tournament for San Miguel Beer but a back injury prevented him from doing so.
Also poised to take the PBA by storm in this maiden appearance are Belgian Thomas de Thaey of Terrafirma, Dajuan Summer of Rain or Shine, Tyler Stone of San Miguel Beer, Jonathan Williams of Phoenix, Tyler Bey of Magnolia and Puerto Rican Chris Ortiz of Blackwater.
Like Robinson, De Thaey, Summers, Williams and Bey had playing experiences in the NBA prior to taking their acts overseas and finally the Philippines.
Journeyman Stone is coming off a stellar stint in Romania, where he was named Import of the Year, All-Romanian Player of the Year, and Forward of the Year. Ortiz had a solid gig with Puerto Rico in the FIBA World Cup in Manila before signing up with the Bossing.
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New Zealand player Tom Vodanovich makes his second tour of duty with Converge after a one-off for the team as replacement for Jamaal Franklin in during the playoffs of the last Governors' Cup. Listed at 6-foot-7, Vodanovich delivered 39 points and 10 rebounds in the FiberXers' 105-121 loss to the twice-to-beat Beermen in the quarterfinals.
Brownlee and Hollis-Jefferson, who battled for the Asian Games basketball gold medal as anchors of Gilas Pilipinas and Jordan, respectively, return for another shot at PBA glory with their respective squads.
Brownlee led the Gin Kings to the Commissioner's Cup diadem last season with a 4-3 win over Hong Kong's Bay Area Dragons. But Hollis-Jefferson and the Tropang Giga foiled Brownlee and Co.'s bid for a Governors' Cup three-peat and won the season-ending conference for themselves.
Meralco and NorthPort are still finalizing their respective reinforcements as of posting time. (OL)
