Leon Rodgers out as Ginebra Import, Gin Kings in a hurry for a replacement by Jay-R Bayon-on While Rain Or Shine decided to pack Alex McLeans bag out, Barangay Ginebra San Miguel also followed through in the PLDT Home TVolution Commissioner’s Cup. Barangay Ginebra have also seen enough of import Leon Rodgers who cant save their aweful campaign in the single-round elimination tournament. The Kings slipped down the standings on Wednesday night after absorbing a 97-95 heartbreaker against Air21. The Gin Kings are tied with Barako Bull Energy at the 8th place with a 2-4 win-loss record. Ginebras in a hurry for replacement Ginebra is in a hurry to find an import to take the place of Rodgers that can hopefully turn around the Kings fate. A top team official said the coaching staff is looking for a way to bring in a replacement before the end of the week in the hope of giving him ample time to blend with the rest of the Kings in time for Ginebras next game. The league’s most popular ballclub won’t be back in action until Wednesday when it takes on a so-so team in Meralco in a crucial encounter at the Smart-Araneta Coliseum. Meralco is at the 4th spot in the standing and is tied with the surprising Air 21 Express with a similar 3-3 win-loss record. The official said ideally, management should strike a deal with a new import by Friday so he can plane in by the weekend, giving him three days to work out with the team before the Meralco game. “Kung makakuha sana at naghahanap sila coach ngayon, aabot iyun (import replacement). Kasi, kung aalis bukas, darating ng Saturday iyun,” said the same source. “Kaya under consideration talaga na may iba (import replacement). Pero as of now wala pa.” Rodgers was surprisingly benched for almost the entire fourth quarter as the Kings’ second unit sparked the team’s fightback from as much as a 14-point deficit. But the controversial import was recalled in the final 4.8 seconds and despite being cold, was tasked to take Ginebra’s final shot which he missed as Air21 counterpart Wesley Witherspoon played honest defense against him. And it clearly showed that it was Rodgers last game with Ginebra. Southerland as a replacement? The same Ginebra source revealed that the team tried to bring in Los Angeles D-Fenders veteran James Southerland to replace Rodgers. But the D-League veteran, listed at 6-8 out of Syracuse, backed out at the last-minute after opting to wait for a call-up in the NBA. “Meron na sanang kapalit kaya lang last-minute nag-backout kasi naghihintay ng call-up sa NBA,” said the same source. The 23-year-old Southerland averaged 14.2 points and 6.7 rebounds for the D-Fenders. He had a one-game stint with the Charlotte Bobcats late last year before being waived. Chism and Powell also were being considered Another source said Ginebra had also set its sights on former Barako Bull prospect Devon Chism, who eventually was signed by Rain or Shine as a replacement for Alex McLean. Another target, former Los Angeles Laker Josh Powell, has priced himself out of the market, a source said. And with this development, Ginebra fans are in a waiting game for a possible replacement to Rodgers as they earlier revealed that they would boycott the Gin Kings remaining games if no apparent changes will be made. --- with reports from Spin.ph Standings Commissioners Cup Eliminations Team W L PCT Talk N Text 6 0 1.000 San Miguel 5 1 0.833 San Mig Coffee 3 1 0.750 Air21 3 3 0.500 Meralco 3 3 0.500 Alaska 2 3 0.400 Rain or Shine 2 3 0.400 Barako Bull 2 4 0.333 Barangay Ginebra 2 4 0.333 Globalport 0 6 0.000 - See more at: pinoystarnews/2014/03/rodgers-out-ginebra-in-a-hurry-for-a-replacment.html#sthash.L3wjgh8a.dpuf
Posted on: Fri, 28 Mar 2014 01:40:40 +0000
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