FOUR teams will parade new imports as the PBA Governors Cup is set for a restart on Friday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
San Miguel, NorthPort, Blackwater, and Phoenix have brought in new reinforcement as they try to turn their respective campaigns around in the second half of the season-ending conference.
The Beermen signed up former NBA veteran Orlando Johnson, the Batang Pier also have an ex-NBA player in their disposal in Jamel Artis, the Bossing hooked up with high-scoring Shawn Glover, while the Fuel Masters has former San Beda Red Lion Donald Tankoua as immediate back-up in case original choice Paul Harris won't still be able to play.
The 32-year-old Johnson is the most experienced of the four and previously played for Barangay Ginebra in the 2015 Governors' Cup, where he managed to steer the Kings to the playoffs, but lost to the Alaska Aces in the first round.
The California-native who had stints with Indiana, Sacramento, Phoenix, and New Orleans, replaced Brandon Brown, whose stay with the Beermen wasn't bad at all as the team went 3-2 before the month-long break by winning its last three outings.
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Artis on the other hand, takes over the injured Cameron Forte, who only suited up in two games for the 0-4 Batang Pier, while Glover will have his hands full taking over a Blackwater team that went winless in five games with Jaylen Bond around.
Harris, who led the Fuel Masters to a 3-2 card, continues to recover from the mild hamstring injury he suffered in their Christmas Day win over previously unbeaten NLEX Road Warriors, 102-93.
And just in case the veteran import isn't given the go-signal yet to play, the 6-foot-6 Tankoua, a three-time NCAA men's champion and former Finals MVP with the Red Lions, is ready to step in and play.
"The last time we checked (with the PBA), Donald is allowed (to play)," said Phoenix coach Topex Robinson about the case of tapping a former NCAA import to reinforce the team.
Blackwater will have Glover for its first game on Feb. 12 against Terrafirma, followed by NorthPort playing with Artis on the same play date against Rain or Shine in the main game.
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If Harris won't still be healthy enough, Tankoua suits up for the Fuel Masters on Feb. 13 versus TNT Tropang Giga, while Johnson makes his San Miguel debut against the Tropang Giga on Feb. 16. (RG)
