Two clubs chase imports as 'Fiesta' nears

MANILA, Philippines - Reggie Larry and Charles Clark III came to town early but there’s still no assurance they would be able to play in the Motolite PBA Fiesta Conference opening Feb. 28 in Dumaguete.

The two are still being evaluated by prospective takers whose original choices are still tied up in another league.

Meanwhile, Alaska coach Tim Cone said they will hear more from Rosell Ellis tonight after playing a knockout game in the Australian league.

“Reggie is getting better. I will see him in our tune-up games against San Miguel (today) and Red Bull (Friday). By that time, I will have a fair assessment about his game,” said Purefoods coach Ryan Gregorio of Larry.

“He’s still being tested,” said Rain or Shine co-owner Raymond Yu of Clark.

Purefoods and Rain or Shine are in search of a sub import who will play for the team until their original choices finish their current engagements.

The Giants and the Elasto Painters are after Marquin Chandler and Jai Lewis, who curiously are both playing in Japan together with Coca-Cola prospect James Penny.

Chandler, a former San Jose State Spartan, has had two previous tours of duty with Purefoods, with the first one in 2006 when he beat out Penny for the Best Import award.

Lewis, on the other hand, was the primary inside force of the George Mason U Patriots team during their Cinderella run to the 2006 NCAA Final Four. He was highly recommended by Patriots teammate Gabe Norwood to the Rain or Shine management.

Listed as 6-foot-7, Lewis was a multi-talented athlete signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants in the NFL in 2006. He ended his pursuit of an NFL career as an offensive tackle to pursue his basketball options, though.

After ending his stint at George Mason with career averages of 12.2 points and 7.2 rebounds, Lewis experienced playing as an import in Bosnia, Israel and France.

While still awaiting for Lewis, the Elasto Painters are looking at Clark, who had a previous stint with the team in 2007, averaging 25.9 points in seven contests. He failed to finish the tourney then as he suffered a pulled hamstring.

The Tigers, meanwhile, have decided to bank on J.J. Sullinger while Penny is not yet around.

Sullinger was an energy source for Talk n Text in 2007, leading the Phone Pals to a second-place finish behind the Ellis-led Alaska team.