TERRAFIRMA considers itself lucky with its two latest choices in PBA tournaments with imports.
Coach Johnedel Cardel is hoping that luck would hold out in the case of Antonio Hester, the Dyip’s reinforcement for the pro league’s second conference set to start later this month.
“Itong import na nakuha namin, hindi siya well-known, pero tingin namin fit sa team,” Cardel told Malaya-Business Insight. “Sana, this conference, itong import na ito maging susi para sa team namin.”
Terrafirma has some momentum going for it after winding up ninth on a 4-7 slate in the recent Philippine Cup, missing out on a playoff for the eighth and last quarterfinals slot only by an inferior quotient.
Based on information relayed to him by his friends and videos of Hester’s games, Cardel is hoping Hester would follow the trend set by Lester Prosper and Khapri Alston.
The 6-foot-10 Prosper proved to be a double-edged threat for the team then known as Columbian during the 2019 Commissioner’s Cup and was eventually tapped by Indonesia as its naturalized player.
Alston made everybody’s head turn during the 2019 Governors Cup.
Despite being the shortest import then at just 6’3 ½, the burly Midwestern State alum averaged 28.5 points, 18.2 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 2.5 steals and 1.3 blocks per game, overall numbers that were even better than some of his NBA-seasoned counterparts from the other teams.
Cardel revealed that they initially wanted to bring back Alston, but there was a difference of opinion regarding pay.
“Malaki na hinihingi, wala naman kaming budget na pangtapat sa hinihingi niya,” Cardel said.
“Lahat ng imports naming nakukuha mabababa presyo pero pag naglaro okay naman,” added Cardel. “Sana ganoon din si Hester.”
Still, there’s a tinge of envy in his voice when Cardel pointed out the other teams’ respective imports.
Leading the pack of reinforcements is Ginebra’s Justin Brownlee with fellow returnees Paul Harris of Phoenix Super LPG, KJ McDaniels of NLEX, Mike Harris of Magnolia, Brandon Brown, Alaska’s Olu Ashaolu and Henry Walker of Rain or Shine.
Aside from Hester, the other newcomers are McKenzie Moore of recent Philippine Cup champion TNT, Blackwater’s Jaylen Bond, Meralco’s Shabazz Muhammad and NorthPort’s Cameron Forte.
“Mga import nila ngayon grabe,” noted Cardel, insisting Hester should fit right in with his team.
