M. Lhuillier hires top grade import for match vs. Gilas

CEBU, Philippines - The management of reigning Liga Pilipinas national champion M. Lhuillier Kwarta Padala has hired the services of former PBA import and NCAA star Jason Dixon to fortify the Cebu Niños’ arsenal preparatory for their series of exhibition matches starting off with a two-day showdown with the Smart Gilas Team Pilipinas on March 4-5 at the Cebu Coliseum.

With his hulking 6-foot-9 figure and intimidating 275-pound frame, Dixon will surely bring a new dimension to the Niños especially on the defensive end as they go up against the taller and bigger Gilas national team of Serbian coach Rajko Toroman.

“We will play against Gilas which is a very tall team and against PBA teams which have imports. At least we have someone who can help us in rebounding and defense. That’s really what we need,” said M. Lhuillier’s legendary coach Raul “Yayoy” D. Alcoseba.

Dixon, a product of Virginia Liberty of the prestigious NCAA Division I in the United States, recently powered the Philippine Patriots to the inaugural championship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Basketball League where they completed a two-game sweep of Satria Muda-Indonesia in their best-of-three finals series.

In 19 games with the Patriots wrapped into a total of 638 minutes, the 36-year-old Dixon averaged 15.2 points, 11.2 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game. He posted 43.3 percent in field goal anchored on 100-of-231 shooting.

Dixon also had a stint in the PBA as import of the Coca-Cola Tigers two years ago.

Asked on what the Cebuano and M. Lhuillier fans could expect of him, the soft-spoken Dixon who described himself as an ‘all-around’ player quickly replied:”Nothing special, just inside presence and more rebounds. Defense and inside scoring.”

Alcoseba said that Gabe Freeman also wants to play with M. Lhuillier, but he opted to only have one reinforcement to give the locals substantial playing time.

Against Gilas, Dixon and the rest of the Niños are up against a formidable and star-studded crew powered by 6-foot-11 tower Greg Slaughter, Dylan Ababou, Japeth Aguilar, Jason Ballesteros, Mark Barocca, Joseph Evans Casio, Ricardo Cawaling, Rafael Joey Jazul, Magi King Sison, Marcio Lassiter and Chris Tiu.

The Smart Gilas are set to arrive in Cebu this Thursday. The following day, Toroman will conduct a free coaching clinic from 10am to 12nn at the Cebu Coliseum.

“We’re ready for the challenge,” said Alcoseba, whose team is also girding up for a pair of goodwill encounters against the import-laced PBA squads. M. Lhuillier will clash with the Talk ‘N Txt Tropang Texters on March 12-13 and then square off against the Brgy. Ginebra Gin Kings on March 15-16.

For the Smart Gilas-M. Lhuillier duel, tickets are priced at P50 for general admission, P100 for upperbox, P200 for lowerbox and P300 for ringside.   (FREEMAN NEWS)