The Meralco Bolts might become the first team to replace its import in the PBA Commissioner's Cup after the team flew in veteran Earl Barron as possible replacement for Jarrid Famous.
Famous averaged 28 points and 15 rebounds in his three games with the Bolts, who went 1-2 in those games, including a tough overtime loss to Talk 'N Text last Friday. It was understood from the start, though, that he would be a stand-in import.
NBA veteran Jelani McCoy, who played for five different NBA teams in a nine-year stint, was Meralco's original choice, but the 34-year-old strained his calf in a tune-up game prior to the opening of the Commissioner's Cup.
"We have a new import. Earl Barron. Legitimate big man," tweeted Bolts point guard Paul Artadi at around noon today.
Barron himself confirmed on his own Twitter account that he was headed for Manila. "What's up Tweeps? Running last-minute errands before I get on this plane for Manila."
It appears, though, that Barron will be on stand-by for the meantime. Bolts coach Ryan Gregorio confirmed that Barron is already in town but added that Famous would be "staying awhile".
"Earl Barron arrived today. Jarrid Famous staying awhile," Gregorio said via text message. The Bolts' next game is on February 26, giving Gregorio five full days to choose between Barron and Famous.
The seven-foot Barron first played in the PBA in 2005, suiting up for Red Bull in the Fiesta Conference. After his stint here, he began his journeyman NBA career, signing up with the Miami Heat and playing three seasons for them, including their championship season of 2005-06. His best season in the NBA came in 2007-08, when he appeared in 46 games for the Heat and averaged 7.1 points. He also suited up for the New York Knicks, Milwaukee Bucks, Phoenix Suns and Portland Trailblazers.
Most recently, Barron was signed by the Golden State Warriors last month and played two games before being cut early this month. He has also had stints in Italy and the NBA D-League.
Barron's arrival will further boost the quality of imports in the Commissioner's Cup, and adds to the list of those with an NBA pedigree. Powerade's Dwayne Jones, Barako Bull's DerMarr Johnson, and Petron's Nick Fazekas all have multiple NBA seasons' worth experience, while Rain or Shine's Duke Crews and Talk 'N Text's Omar Sahman came close to making it to the NBA. Air21's Marcus Douthit was a second-round pick of the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2004 NBA draft.
E-mail: sid_ventura@yahoo.com. Twitter: @Sid_Ventura
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