Imports dribble back to PBA hardcourt

A Kawhi Leonard play-alike gets to strut his wares tomorrow as the bigger, power playing reinforcements return to the local hardcourt at the start of the Philippine Basketball Association’s Commissioners Cup at the Mall of Asia Arena.

Former San Diego State stalwart Josh Davis, nicknamed ‘Kawhi 2.0’ for his rebounding skills and uncanny resemblance to the San Antonio Spurs standout and 2014 NBA Finals MVP, will help patrol the lanes for the Meralco Bolts when they face the popular Ginebra San Miguel squad and import Michael Dunigan in the featured match at 7p.m.

Expansion team Kia Motors, boasting of the tallest reinforcement in 7-foot-4 Peter John Ramos, battles Global Port and American reinforcement CJ Leslie in the first game at 4:15 p.m.

Davis, who reportedly can play multiple positions, is the last among the present crop of imports to sign up for the mid-season PBA conference after Meralco coach Norman Black personally flew to the United States to recruit him from the NBA D-League. Black returned over the weekend.

Last Wednesday, three-year NBA veteran Daniel Orton committed to play for the Purefoods Star Hotshots upon the completion of his stint with the Sichuan five in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Also set to play in the Commissioner’s Cup are DJ Covington for Alaska Milk, Solomon Alabi for Barako Bull, Michael Dunigan for Ginebra, Chris Charles for Blackwater, Al Thornton for NLEX, Rick Jackson for Rain or Shine and Richard Howell for Talk n Text.

San Miguel Beer, as of press time, is still awaiting word from Arinze Onuaku who got a call from the NBA after a remarkable showing in the NBA D-League Showcase Cup in Santa Cruz, California.

Davis, the last player to be cut in the San Antonio Spurs roster for the current NBA season, averaged 10.1 rebounds and 7.7 points in one year at San Diego State after earlier stints with the North Carolina State and Tulane.

Following his senior year at SDSU, Davis joined Charlotte in the NBA Summer League where he averaged 8.9 points and 10.1 rebounds per game. He finished three of seven games with double-double numbers.

At only 6-8, Davis is expected to have his hands full against the taller Ramos who has been in the country for at least a week and has already played tune-up games with the Manny Pacquiao led Kia quintet which will be nicknamed Carnivals after carrying the Sorento brand last conference.