The Crocodile’s gone

Shell import Askia Jones, who never came across a hoop he didn’t like, is mercifully gone. Maybe, the Turbochargers can start winning in the Samsung Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) Commissioner’s Cup now that he’s been replaced by 6-7, 220-pound power forward Johnny Jackson.

It’s not Jones’ fault that Shell opened the conference with two straight losses. He just didn’t belong, like a square peg in a round hole. With Chris Jackson on loan to the national team, coach Perry Ronquillo looked for help off the boards. Jones certainly couldn’t do it – he plays guard, remember? And the other import Sedric Webber couldn’t do it alone. Shell was too small to compete against bigger teams for rebounds. And Ronquillo had no big body to eyeball the likes of Jerald Honeycutt.

Not that Jones wasn’t talented. It’s his third straight conference in a Shell uniform. Surely, if he only knew how to shoot, Ski wouldn’t have been brought back not once, but twice. In the recent Governors Cup, he averaged 25.2 points, 7.0 rebounds, and 4.5 assists. The problem was his import partner sucked – first, it was Derek Grimm who couldn’t decide whether to play inside or outside, then came the forgettable Bu Willingham, the biggest eyesore ever to set foot on PBA Wood, Luckily, Webber showed up for the last game which Shell won but it was too late – Shell was out of the quarters.

Jones and Webber would’ve been perfect for the combined 13-foot limit in the Governors Cup. But in the Commissioner’s Cup where the ceiling is 13 feet and six inches, Ronquillo was handicapped. Jones was just too short to make a difference, no matter his National Basketball Association (NBA) credentials (he once played for the Minnesota Timberwolves) and his genes (father Wali is a Philadelphia 76ers legend).

Besides, Ronquillo didn’t need another two-guard or a shooting forward at the three-spot. Tony de la Cruz, Rob Wainwright, Chris Calaguio, and Mike Hrabak could do the job at two or three. What Shell missed was a Jackson-type, an inside presence – someone who could rebound and defend against big guys.

So Ronquillo finally bit the bullet. The trigger-happy Jones – whose generosity with the ball isn’t a virtue – had to go.

Yesterday morning, Jackson – no relation to Chris – flew in on a Philippine Airlines flight from Los Angeles to take over from Jones. He’ll team up with Webber in Shell’s game against FedEx at the Cuneta Astrodome tomorrow.

Jackson, 28, might just be the additive to rev up Shell. He’s coming off an impressive stint in the United States Basketball League (USBL) where he averaged 19.4 points and 11.7. rebounds in 17 games for the Kansas Cagerz. Jackson led the USBL in boards (next in the totem pole were NBA veteran Oliver Miller and ex-Tanduay import Ira Clark), shot 52.8 percent from the floor, and hit 66.9 percent from the line.

Before moving to the USBL, Jackson played in the National Basketball Development League (NBDL). He was the Huntsville Flight’s third round draft pick and ended the NBDL season on the Columbus Silverdragons roster with Purefoods’ Gabe Muoneke and ex-imports Ray Tutt, Nate Johnson, and John Strickland. Jackson’s NBDL stats were atrocious compared to his USBL numbers. In the NBDL, he averaged only 3.0 points 3.2 rebounds, and 14.9 minutes.

Jackson played two years at the University of Mississippi and never averaged in double figures – a cause for concern. As a senior in 1998, he shot 50.8 percent from the floor but netted twin digits, including an 18-point effort against Nicholls State, in only five games.

Shell team manager Bobby Villarosa said Jackson and Webber make a potent combination. At least, they won’t be outsized by the other imports. And the locals should be able to contribute once more in their natural positions. Ronquillo’s job of defining roles will be a lot easier.

FedEx is in the same hole as Shell with two setbacks in a row. So tomorrow’s contest should be a humdinger. Both clubs are determined to break into the win column and avoid the embarrassment of a third straight loss.

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