Massiah no Messiah

San Miguel Beer’s replacement import Vidal Massiah turned out to be far from being a savior as he struggled in a forgettable PBA Fiesta Conference debut against Red Bull at the Cuneta Astrodome last Friday night.

Massiah picked up three fouls and went 1-of-7 from the field in the first quarter. In contrast, import counterpart James Penny ended the period with 10 points and seven rebounds. Massiah never recovered from the early stumble. When the smoke cleared, he limped back to the dressing room with 11 points—eight in garbage time—and 10 rebounds.

Red Bull won easily, 102-84, as San Miguel played without Danny Seigle (RP 5), Dondon Hontiveros (RP 5), Danny Ildefonso (under observation for a month before deciding to undergo surgery for a right ankle problem or not) and Lordy Tugade (set for surgery to remove bone spurs in both knees).

San Miguel’s original import Kelly Whitney of Seton Hall measured 7/16 of an inch over the 6-6 limit and was sent home. Massiah flew in on his own two weeks ago and made himself available to takers with much prodding from agent Mark Chan. After Whitney’s sudden exit, Massiah got San Miguel’s nod as a temporary fill-in.

PBA sources said several ex-imports are waiting in the wings, ready to plane in at a moment’s notice. Among those in the list are Jermaine Walker, Artemus (Tee) McClary, Terrance Shannon and Tremaine Fowlkes.

Massiah, 28, told The STAR before his debut, the PBA brand of up-and-down play is suited to his style. "The only import in town I know is (Ginebra’s) Rod Nealy whom I played against in Germany," he noted.

Massiah, 28, played four years at St. Bonaventure University in New York (NBA legend Bob Lanier’s alma mater) and saw action in Portugal, Austria, Germany and New Zealand. He also suited up with Steve Nash for the Canadian national squad.

* * *

There’s a Pinoy KO artist making waves in Australian rings. Ranee Ganoy of South Cotabato stopped ex-IBF superfeatherweight titlist Robbie Peden in the 8th round to win the vacant IBF Pan Pacific 135-pound crown in Brisbane last Friday. It was Ganoy’s 9th win in 12 outings since transplanting to Australia in October 2004. He has won his last five bouts, all by KO. The victory raised Ganoy’s record to 22-10-2, with 19 KOs.

Ganoy decked Peden in round 7 and led in two judges’ scorecards when referee Brad Vocale called it a night. Derek Milham saw it 67-66 for Peden but Cyril Cairns scored 67-65 and Wally Lewis, 67-66, both for Ganoy at the time of the stoppage.

Peden, 33, was lined up to face Manny Pacquiao last year but the fight never materialized. He came off a 17-month rest to battle Ganoy. In his previous match, Peden lost to Marco Antonio Barrera on points.

Ganoy, 27, is trained and managed by Dido Bohol, a Filipino who migrated to Australia in 1991. Bohol takes care of 15 Pinoy fighters, including ex-Philippine lightwelterweight champion Bart Abapo, down under.

Postscript. Red Bull team consultant Andy Jao said NCAA Division II or III players aren’t necessarily inferior to Division I cagers. He recalled that former Tanduay import Russell Murrey, a Division III star from Montana, was a PBA standout in 1981 and 1982… It’s ex-PBA import Terrance Shannon, not former Seattle SuperSonics dunker Terrance Stansbury (who’s now 46), reapplying to play here… Expected to be at ringside for WBO superbantamweight champion Daniel Ponce de Leon’s defense against Gerry Peñalosa in Las Vegas on March 17 are Manny Pacquiao, Peñalosa’s brothers Jonathan and Carlos, Jr. and fighters Rodel Mayol and Mike Farenas. Pacquiao is scheduled to leave for the US on Wednesday and on the same flight will be Peñalosa’s in-laws Rudy and Virgie Llido. Peñalosa’s friends from Japan, Yasuo and Gina Matsuoka and Kosuke Washiyo, will also plane in to witness the bout… Well-known boxing referee Bruce McTavish celebrated his 40th year as a Filipino resident recently. McTavish, 66, is married to Meng Tayag, daughter of the late lawyer Renato (Katoks) Tayag and Adoracion Suarez, with two children Jean and Michele. Subic-Clark Alliance for Development Council head Ed Pamintuan presented McTavish his Philippine passport during a testimonial dinner at the Batis Asul Resort in Angeles City last Feb. 12. McTavish has worked over 140 world title fights… Cool down during the summer season with Emerald Headway’s Summer Chill promo! Emerald is the leading distributor of nearly 1,000 book and foreign magazine titles including RC Car Action, PC Gamer, GQ, Home (US), Elle Accessories, The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly. Get an additional 12% discount when you subscribe to any foreign magazine for one year or an additional 6% discount for six-month subscriptions. Moreover, one lucky subscriber who booked and paid for a one-year subscription will get a chance to win free accommodations for two at the John Hay Manor Hotel, Baguio City. For details, call 647-4744 or visit the Emerald showroom at 218 Katipunan Ave., Blue Ridge, Q. C.