Kings, Bolts parade NBA vets tonight

MANILA, Philippines - Hopefully, it’s worth the long wait.

Meralco finally fields highly touted three-year NBA veteran Darnell Jackson while Barangay Ginebra tests two-time NBA champion team member Josh Powell in a crucial showdown tonight in the PLDT Home TVolution PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

The Meralco-Ginebra tiff at 8 p.m.is easily the much-anticipated match since it features debuting PBA imports with impressive credentials.

Powell, with two NBA rings won with the LA Lakers in 2009 and 2010, arrived in the country early yesterday morning and quickly proceeded to join the Kings in practice.

The 31-year-old South Carolina native carries NBA career norms of 3.9 points and 2.9 rebounds in an average of 12.5 minutes in 315 games in six seasons with the Dallas Mavericks, the Indiana Pacers, the Golden State Warriors, the LA Clippers, the LA Lakers and the Atlanta Hawks.

He last played in the NBA with the Hawks in 2011 before drifting to pro leagues outside of the US.

He was waiting for a call from the NBA that’s why he took a while to sign up with Ginebra, taking over from Leon Rodgers.

Alaska Milk (3-3) tangles with Barako Bull (2-4) in the 5:45 p.m. opener. 

Jackson, on the other, has long been in the country. His supposed debut as a Meralco import last Wednesday was put on hold, though, as Brian Butch erupted with 40 points and 31 rebounds in his supposed farewell game three days earlier.

Jackson is also a legit ex-NBA player with stints with the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Milwaukee Bucks and the Sacramento Kings.

“Hopefully, Jackson can fit in right away. He has displayed great skills and intensity in our practices,” said Gregorio.

“It’s a big game as we need to bounce back strong to solidify our standing,” added Gregorio whose wards are in a heavy four-way tie at fourth place with the Aces, the Air21 Express and the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters at 3-3.

Right behind them are the Kings and the Energy Cola at 2-4.

These teams are fighting for spots in the best-of-three quarterfinals since Talk n Text (7-0) has claimed playoffs top seeding and Petron (5-2) has an inside track in the battle for No. 2 spot.

“Every game is crucial and we really need to win,” said Barako Bull coach Bong Ramos, expecting a tough fight with the Aces.

“Alaska is coming from back-to-back wins over Air21 and San Miguel Beer. Them being the defending champion, we have to step up and keep our focus,” said Ramos.

Alaska coach Luigi Trillo is likewise wary of their rivals.

“Barako’s record is not a reflection of how good they are playing. They always play hard till the end. (Josh) Dollard seems like he is the best scorer out there. Willie Miller is a hard match-up for us,” said Trillo.

“They also have a lot of guys who can explode like Pennisi, Buenafe and Intal,” Trillo added.