Ex-NBA imports highlight PBA opening playdate

Games today

Ynares Center, Antipolo

4:15 p.m.- Rain or Shine vs. Alaska

6:30 p.m.- Petron vs. Powerade

THE HIGHLY TOUTED former NBA player Rashad McCants makes his debut in Philippine basketball as the Powerade Tigers play the Petron Blaze Boosters in the main game of the opening salvo of the 37th PBA Governors’ Cup today at the Ynares Center in Antipolo.

By bringing in McCants, Powerade becomes one of the teams expected to fare well in the season-ending tournament, which will feature imports not taller than six-foot-five.

The 27-year-old McCants has impressive credentials. He played his college days with the North Carolina Tar Heels and led the team to the 2005-05 NCAA title.

McCants was tabbed as first round pick by the Minnesota Timberwolves in the 2005 NBA draft.  In the 2007-08 season, McCants averaged 14.9 points in 75 games. He later moved to the Sacramento Kings.

McCants played 249 games in four NBA season and averaged 10 points a game.

Petron and Powerade were busy tweaking their rosters during the conference-break.

Powerade let go Marcio Lassiter, Doug Kramer and Celino Cruz and brought in Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Lordy Tugade, Jondan Salvador and Rey Guevarra.

Petron, who will be reinforced by another ex-NBA player Eddie Basden, acquired Lassiter and former stalwart Dorian Peña. Returning from injuries are Dondon Hontiveros and Jay Washington, who will rejoin old reliables Arwind Santos, Danny Ildefonso, Alex Cabagnot, Joseph Yeo and Denok Miranda.

The curtain-raiser will have the Alaska Aces going up against the Rain or Shine Elasto Painters. The Aces have brought in the high-leaping Jason Forte while Rain or Shine will be reinforced by Jamelle Cornley./EDITORIAL ASSISTANT CALVIN D. CORDOVA