Imports measure up in PBA

MANILA, Philippines - The tape measure awaits eight imports still to be sized up before being declared eligible to play in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup starting tomorrow. So far, only five imports have been measured and one was disqualified for failing to make the limit. The other imports or those who are now in town will be measured in the PBA office today. In the queue are Meralco’s Josh Davis, Barangay Ginebra’s Michael Dunigan, Alaska’s D. J. Covington, Globalport’s Calvin (C. J.) Leslie, NLEX’ Al Thornton and Blackwater’s Chris Charles.

Cleared to play are Rain Or Shine’s 6-8 1/16 Rick Jackson, Kia’s 7-2 3/ 4 Peter John Ramos, Barako Bull’s 7-0 1/2 Solomon Alabi and Talk ‘N’ Text’s 6-6 15/16 Richard Howell. Globalport’s would-be import Rod Benson was measured at 6-9 1/8 when the limit for all the teams, except the last four placers in the Philippine Cup, is 6-9. There is no limit for the imports of the last four placers which are No. 9 Barako Bull, No. 10 NLEX, No. 11 Kia and No. 12 Blackwater.

Purefoods will be reinforced by Daniel Orton but the former University of Kentucky forward is still playing in the Chinese league. Coach Tim Cone has recalled Marqus Blakely to suit up on an interim basis as the Hotshots are set to make their second conference debut on Jan. 30. Orton may not be available until the first week of February. If Blakely is Cone’s pick to play for the meantime, he will also report for measurement today.

San Miguel Beer is in a bind as original pick Arinze Onuaku has received at least six offers to try out for the NBA. Team manager Gee Abanilla said an offer sheet has been sent to Campbell University’s Eric Griffin but can’t confirm the acquisition until the contract is signed. “Griffin’s agent is agreeable so we’re just waiting for the signed contract,” said Abanilla. “We didn’t want to force Onuaku to come over. His mind is on the NBA right now. He was impressive at the recent NBA D-League Showcase and that’s why the NBA offers came.”

Abanilla said San Miguel’s first game in the Commissioner’s Cup is on Feb. 4. “We hope to get three or four practice days with Griffin before we play our first game,” he added. “We don’t start practice until Tuesday (tomorrow).”

  Jackson, 25, was chosen by Rain Or Shine coach Yeng Guiao after negotiations to bring back Wayne Chism fell through. Chism has a live contract in Israel. Jackson’s claim to fame was leading Neumann-Goretti High School to a 67-64 win over Montrose Christian, featuring Kevin Durant, at the Magic32 Hoophall Classic in Springfield, Massachusetts, in 2005-06. He compiled 15 points, nine rebounds and five blocked shots to upstage Durant and was named MVP of the tournament. It was Durant’s first and only season with Montrose after attending two other high schools National Christian Academy and Oak Hill Academy.

Jackson played four years with the Syracuse varsity. His teammates included former Talk ‘N’ Text import Paul Harris and Onuaku. As a senior in 2010-11, he averaged 13.1 points, 10.3 rebounds and 2.5 blocked shots in 35 outings. His weak spot is free throw shooting. In his sophomore season, he hit only 48.1 percent then 50 percent as a junior and 53.3 percent as a senior.

Jackson had tryouts with the Golden State Warriors, Milwaukee Bucks, Indiana Pacers and Utah Jazz but never made it to the NBA. Instead, he toured the world playing hoops in France, Israel and Russia.

Covington, 23, is a two-time Big South Defensive Player of the Year and appears to be a fit with the Aces because of his orientation. He finished his four-year career at Virginia Military Institute as the school’s all-time leader in blocked shots with 272 in 109 games. As a senior in 2013-14, Covington led the Keydets varsity to the semifinals of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament (CIT), a postseason competition for 32 mid-major schools that did not qualify for either the NCAA or National Invitation Tournament. It was Virginia Military’s first postseason appearance since 1976-77. Covington scored a total of 41 points to power the Keydets’ wins over Canisius and IPFW (Indiana, Purdue, Fort Wayne) before Virginia Military lost a 75-62 decision to Yale in the CIT semifinals. Covington played sparingly in the first half because of foul trouble but still wound up with 17 points in the setback.

Covington averaged 20.1 points as a senior and ranked No. 24 in the NCAA in scoring. He also shot 58.7 percent from the floor and 69.3 percent from the line. After playing for Virginia Military, Covington saw action for the Basic Fit Brussels club in the Belgian league but left during the season, averaging only 4.8 points and 3.9 rebounds in eight games.

Davis, 24, went from North Carolina State to Tulane University to San Diego State in a collegiate career where he established a reputation as an aggressive offensive rebounder. His best season was in 2012-13 when he averaged 17.8 points and 10.6 rebounds with Tulane. In 2013-14, Davis hit at a 7.7 clip and grabbed 10.2 boards a game as San Diego State went to the NCAA Sweet 16. He was signed by the San Antonio Spurs last summer but was cut before the NBA season started. Davis then joined the Austin Toros of the NBA D-League where he averaged 13.8 points and 10.5 rebounds.