PBA Season 49 unfolds

MANILA, Philippines — Now, more than ever, balik-import Allen Durham is determined to win a PBA title with Meralco.

Durham, who previously helped the Bolts reach the finals thrice but fell short each time, makes his fourth tour of duty in the Season 49 Governors’ Cup about settling unfinished business.

“Yeah, basically,” said the three-time Best Import of this campaign they’re firing off against fellow contender Magnolia in the league’s opening offering at the Smart Araneta Coliseum tonight.

“I’m getting towards the end of my career and I want to give the PBA one more shot and try to get a championship,” added Durham, who was runnerup in the 2016, 2017 and 2018 Governors’ Cup editions before taking his act to Japan.

A lot has happened since his last PBA stint. Durham won a title and a Finals MVP plum with Okinawa in the B. League in 2023. On their own, the Bolts captured their breakthrough PBA crown in the Season 48 Philippine Cup at the expense of San Miguel Beer just last June.

And this time, Durham and the Bolts’ locals led by Finals MVP and Gilas Pilipinas ace Chris Newsome, Cliff Hodge, Raymond Almazan and Allein Maliksi want to win one together.

“I was excited for the guys. I was over in Japan and I was watching the games a little bit here and there and I felt happy they got over the hump. So now everybody knows what it takes,” said the hulking Durham.

“Obviously, the PBA is very tough, teams are all tough but I think we have better tools and stuff like that (than in 2018) so I think we can have a good chance at it.”

The Bolts take an early test at 7:30 p.m. against the Hotshots, pinning their bid on former NBA player and slam dunk artist Glenn Robinson III, veterans Paul Lee, Marc Barroca, Ian Sangalang and Calvin Abueva and young gun Zav Lucero, acquired from NorthPort in exchange for Jio Jalalon and Abu Tratter.