So who needs Kennedy?

Former Cleveland Cavaliers guard-forward D. J. Kennedy was on the wish list of at least four PBA teams in the search for imports in the PBA Governors Cup that started last Wednesday. And it was Meralco that beat the rest to the draw, bringing in the St. John’s University star to play for the Bolts in the third conference.

Kennedy, 23, arrived fresh from averaging 10.6 points with the Miami Heat at the NBA Summer League in Orlando. In the last NBA D-League, he averaged 18.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 5.5 assists with Erie Bay and 14.3 points, 7.1 rebounds and 4.8 assists with Rio Grande. Over the season, Kennedy shot 82 percent from the line, 36 percent from beyond the three-point arc and close to 48 percent from the floor. The stats proved one thing – Kennedy’s got game. In the PBA where versatility is key for imports, he was viewed as a can’t-miss proposition.

Then came the bad news. Kennedy went to the PBA office for official sizing last Monday. He was made to lie flat on his back with the soles of his bare feet stuck to a metal plate protruding in a right angle from a long table. The first measurement was 6-5 1/2 – a half-inch over the height limit for imports. A second measurement was taken and it read 6-5 1/4. PBA officials who witnessed the sizing said there was no way Kennedy could shrink to fit within the 6-5 limit.

“I couldn’t understand it,” said American Paul Howard who brought Kennedy to Meralco. “He was measured twice during the NBA Summer League and it was confirmed he was 6-4 1/2.” The PBA’s method of sizing, however, is foolproof as the league requires a player to lie flat on his back with the feet planted on a metal plate perpendicular to the table in measuring his height.

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With Kennedy ruled out of the picture, Meralco coach Ryan Gregorio called Mario West back to duty. West played for Meralco as Champ Oguchi’s replacement in the Governors Cup last season and averaged 30.1 points, 7.8 rebounds and 2.7 assists in 11 games. Meralco posted a 6-5 record with West and finished the conference on a high note with back-to-back wins. From the onset, West was on Meralco’s list of candidate imports but Gregorio held out for more options. When Meralco played a three-game exhibition series in Tokyo last June, Gregorio brought in Chris Blake to test him out. Blake wasn’t invited back.

Last Thursday, West arrived. He looked heavier than before, probably because he hadn’t played organized basketball in at least five months since leaving the Mexico league. But West claimed he was stronger and deliberately bulked up to get ready for the physicality in the PBA.

“Mario knew he was being considered to come back all along,” said Gregorio. “On instagram, he would message our guys whom he played with last season, telling them he’s ready, that he’s waiting for a call. He waited patiently. It was lucky for us that when we called, he was ready to take the first available flight out.”

West suited up for Meralco against Petron the day after he flew in. No jet lag, no rubbery legs, no cramping. West played 38 minutes and poured in 23 points as the Bolts came back from a 14-point deficit to stun Petron, 89-83, at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. More than his offense, Gregorio said West proved his mettle in defense.

“With Mario, you don’t need to double anyone, he’ll give you single coverage on the other import,” said Gregorio. “When (Elijah) Millsap got hot, Mario volunteered to take him. It’s a risk if you double anyone on the Petron team because you can’t leave anyone open. We’re not as big as Petron and we played Papa Rey (Hugnatan) at five against JuneMar (Fajardo). But we used quickness against taller guys. And we won with defense. Not just Mario’s defense but also the defense of guys like John (Wilson) who’s our lock-down defender in the perimeter.”

West and Wilson alternated in putting the cuffs on Millsap who exploded for 14 points in the first period then sputtered the rest of the way to finish with 24. Hugnatan stood his ground in matching up with the 6-10 Fajardo and delivered 20 points, eight in the fourth period when Meralco broke away. Meralco booked the win even as MacMac Cardona and newly acquired Jared Dillinger sat out the action. Both Cardona and Dillinger will be ready to play in the second or third week of September, said Gregorio. Without a natural center, the Bolts paid the price as the Blazers grabbed more rebounds, 52-42, but they drew strong local support for West and played tougher defense, limiting Petron to 38.8 percent shooting from the floor.

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West, 29, was measured 6-4 1/4 compared to Millsap’s 6-4 3/4. He earned close to $2 Million in a four-year NBA career with the Atlanta Hawks and New Jersey Nets despite never being drafted. Millsap, 26, has never played in the NBA although his older brother Paul is a seven-year veteran and was recently signed by Atlanta. Millsap grew up playing the game with his brothers Paul, Abraham and John and was touted to be a sure draft pick. However, he was snubbed in the draft.

Meralco underwent a major facelift during the offseason, trading Ronjay Buenafe, Gilbert Bulawan, Vic Manuel and Carlo Sharma away and welcoming Noy Baclao, Wilson, Don Allado, Dillinger and Allan Mangahas. Back in the fold are Cardona, Chris Ross, Hugnatan, Cliff Hodge, JayR Reyes, Rey Guevarra, Sunday Salvacion, Paul Artadi, Chris Timberlake, Josh Vanlandingham and Mark Borboran. The Bolts own Asi Taulava’s signing rights and are awaiting trade offers.

As for Petron, a coaching shakeup elevated long-time assistant coach Gee Abanilla to the head job. American Todd Purves, who piloted the Indonesia Warriors to the ABL crown two seasons back, has joined the team as a coaching consultant. Biboy Ravanes remains with the coaching staff that now includes Leo Austria, Koy Banal and Dayong Mendoza. Former Barangay Ginebra coach Siot Tanquingcen was recently appointed new team manager. Struck out from the roster were Jay Washington and Bryan Faundo, now both with Globalport, and Dorian Peña traded to Barako Bull. Newcomers are Doug Kramer, Jason Deutchman and returnee Paolo Hubalde who played on the San Miguel Beer squad that won the ABL title this past season.