IF his papers get sorted out in time, Venky Jois should have a return stint with NorthPort as early as Friday in the PBA Governors' Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
No less than Batang Pier coach Bonnie Tan broke the news Thursday, saying it's just a matter of the Australian getting the needed clearance from his nation's basketball federation before the Dyip game set to start at 5 p.m.
"We're still waiting for the letter of clearance para maging official," said Tan, adding Jois has already gotten one from the last team he has played with, the Sichuan Blue Whales, in the CBA.
"Nagkaproblema kasi, dalawa agents niya na parang nag-aagawan sa kanya," added Tan.
So kahit nakakuha na kami ng LOC from Sichuan, na-redirect naman kami sa Basketball Australia."
Tan added that the 31-year-old banger has already arrived in Manila as early as last Tuesday and remotely watched portions of the Batang Pier's 95-101 loss to TNT.
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Taylor Jones notched 36 points,16 rebounds and nine rebounds but still left Tan and the rest of NorthPort wanting more.
"Inside presence talaga kailangan ng team with (center) JM (Calma) still out with injury," explained Tan.
"Actually, medyo matagal-tagal na deliberation iyan with management bago umabot sa final decision," added Tan.
Jois first saw action for NorthPort in last season's Commissioner's Cup, averaging 24.5 points, 15.2 rebounds and 5.0 assists despite being one of the smaller reinforcements.
Tan said he has already talked to Jones about the possibility of an import change although it is still unknown if the American would still be willing to play should Jois' papers do not arrive in time.
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"Management na makikipag-usap sa kanya," stated Tan, before saying official notice of the import change has already been given the PBA Thursday afternoon. (NC)
