Meralco brings Back Durham

MANILA, Philippines —  Get ready for Round 4 of the Justin Brownlee-Allen Durham matchup.

Durham is returning after a four-year absence to reinforce Meralco and potentially settle unfinished business with Brownlee and the Gin Kings in the coming PBA Season 49 Governors’ Cup.

The hulking Durham has proven himself as a force in Asia’s first play-for-pay league, winning three Best Imports awards, but remains title-less, frustrated by Brownlee and the Gin Kings in the Governors’ Cup finals of 2016, 2017 and 2018.

After his fruitful stint with the Ryukyu Golden Kings highlighted by the Japan B. League crown in 2023, “AD” deemed it best to reunite with his Meralco brothers, who are on a high following their maiden triumph in the recent Philippine Cup.

For Brownlee, it’s also a comeback of sorts in the PBA as he sat out the Season 48 Commissioner’s Cup while serving his FIBA suspension over doping issues in the Asian Games.

“He knows the team. Excited to have AD back,” said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo.

Aaron Fuller, who had prior stints with NLEX, Blackwater and TNT, makes another PBA tour, this time with Rain or Shine.

A group of former NBA players, meanwhile, is set for their Philippine debuts in Ricky Ledo, Glenn Robinson III and Darius Days.

Ledo, who suited up for the Mavericks and the Knicks, beefs up Blackwater while Robinson, who won the NBA slam dunk plum while with the Pacers in 2017, powers up Magn