Meralco mulls import change to check slide

MANILA, Philippines - Meralco has brought in former Florida State stalwart Tim Pickett as possible replacement to Champ Oguchi.

The Bolts decided to take a look at Pickett after a two-game slide that brought them down to joint fifth with the Barangay Ginebra Kings at 2-2.

“We’re analyzing things. We hold one more practice then make the final assessment,” said Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio.

Most likely, Pickett debuts with the Bolts as they play the Air21 Express at5:30 p.m. tomorrow at the Araneta Coliseum.

Pickett attended Daytona Beach Community College, Indian River and Florida State then was drafted in the second round of the 2004 NBA Draft by the New Orleans Hornets.

He joined Bob Sura as the only two Florida State players to earn All-ACC First-Team honors in school history.

A two-time All-ACC Defensive Team selection, he totaled 164 steals in only two years at the Division I level and closed his career tied for second in ACC history with 2.64 steals per game.

He finished 33rd on Florida State’s all-time scoring list with 1,038 career points, averaging 16.7 points per game as he started every game of his Florida State career. His career average is tied for the 17th-best career average in school history.

An All-America Honorable Mention and All-ACC First Team selection in his senior year in 2004, Pickett later earned spurs playing overseas in Italy, Bulgaria, Puerto Rico, China and Israel.