Backup import suits up for Shell

Shell has tapped a temporary import replacement in Brian August Wethers and he is expected to arrive just in time for the Turbochargers’ match with the Red Bull Barako Thunder tonight in the Gran Matador PBA Fiesta Conference at the Araneta Coliseum.

Marek Ondera is sitting out the game and probably their next few games because of a sprained ankle he suffered in their out-of-town duel with Purefoods last Thursday in Gen. Santos City.

"We’re sticking with Ondera because he fits with the team but we decided to get a temporary import replacement because we feel we owe it to our fans," said Shell board representative and team manager Bobby Kanapi.

Wethers, 23, is listed 6-foot-5. He played college ball at University of California.

The Turbochargers seek a follow-up to their 94-91 decision over the Hotdogs Thursday while the Thunder try to sustain the momentum of their win over the Sta. Lucia Realtors the last time out in their 7:10 p.m. setto.

Talk n Text and San Miguel Beer stake their clean slates as they clash in the first game at 4:45 p.m. The Phone Pals (3-0) and the Beermen (2-0) are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the PBA transition tourney.

Meanwhile, Purefoods has enlisted another new import in Edner Elisma, replacing Reggie Butler.

Elisma is listed 6-foot-9 but coach Ryan Gregorio believes the former Georgia Tech standout will pass the 6-foot-8 ceiling and help the Hotdogs get back on track. Purefoods has lost its last three games following the ouster of original import Lenny Cooke on an Achilles tendon tear.

After emerging Georgia Tech’s third all-time leading shot-blocker, Elisma was picked 41st overall by the Seattle SuperSonics in the 1997 NBA Draft. Curiously, Elisma played the last 93 games of his collegiate career at center spot. He’s No. 3 in the all-time shot-block ladder at Georgia Tech behind former NBA star John Salley and Malcomn Mackey.

A veteran international campaigner with tours of duty in Israel, Belgium, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, Elisma is coming to the Philippines fresh from his stint with the Asheville Altitude in the NBDL.

In his first pro tournament in Israel in the 1997-98 campaign, Elisma averaged 17 points and 9.4 rebounds.

In another development, PBA operations chief Rickie Santos said the Club Obras of the Argentinian pro league has signified its intention to play as guest team in the PBA Fiesta Conference.

The Melbourne Tigers, however, have backed out of the tourney due to conflicts in the schedule of coach Lindsay Gaze. The former Australian national team head coach will be in a FIBA congress during the time they were to play in the PBA.

The Lebanon national team has been seeded in the tourney.