It is time to continue breaking down the import choices of the twelve teams for the upcoming 2018 Commissioner's Cup.
Today, we will check on Rain or Shine, Alaska, and Blackwater.
Rain or Shine - Reggie Johnson
Rain or Shine chose an import with pedigree. He was the ABL's 2016 Best World Import and he led the Westport Malaysia Dragons to the 2016 ABL championship. During that season, Reggie showed that he can control the paint, even with other imports playing around him.
He averaged 22.1 points, 12.7 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 55% FG. In the latest season of ABL, he played for the Mono Vampires and he exhibited his new found confidence in taking outside shots. He averaged 22.6 points, 14.0 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 4.1 3PA.
His outside shooting did not click but to take that many shots from beyond the arc is a great start.
So, Rain or Shine will have a big import who will shoot from the outside and will surely be a dominant force inside. That will be a great complement to their three-point craze-barrage.
Grade: B
Blackwater - Jarrid Famous
Blackwater was a superb defensive team in the Philippine Cup. Unfortunately, their offense was not good enough to create separations from their opponents. They are counting on Famous to fill up the gap.
Famous was a former reinforcement of Meralco and Globalport. And when he played for Globalport in 2015, he posted a statline of 30.2 points, 23.0 rebounds, 2.0 blocks and 51.5% FG.
The one that standout is his rebounding. And if he can replicate that, Blackwater's frontcourt will have a different kind of impact. They will surely control the rebound and should be able to provide more 2nd chances. His athleticism could be a great complement to the tall and hardworking JP Erram.
Add the fact that Famous is reliable in scoring buckets, and the Elite may have the right import in town.
Grade: A
Alaska - Antonio Campbell
Alaska chose a very unique import. They chose a young, untested and not flashy American, in Antonio Campbell. Most of the time, when a team brings in a new import, they will go with a super athlete or a super scorer or a giant.
Alaska did not do that. According to coach Alex Compton, Campbell's style is similar to Ranidel de Ocampo. Which means, he relies heavily on skills and he doesn't do anything flashy.
His latest stint was in the 2018 NBA G-League, where he played for Lakeland Magic. He averaged 15.9 minutes and posted 6.3 points, 4.6 rebounds, 1.2 assists, 0.9 steal, 0.7 block and 36.6% 3FG. Stretch that to 36 minutes of play and you will get 14.3 points, 10.5 rebounds, 2.7 assists, 2.0 steals and 1.6 blocks.
If he can fill the stat-sheet in the PBA, Alaska may have a gotten an import that will make a lot of impact plays and will not let them lose games. But, I don't think he is the import that can impact their championship aspiration, the most.
I think, what they need is a baller who is capable of breaking down the defense and can be a superb defensive player.
Nonetheless, a do-it-all type can work in a lot of ways.
Grade: B
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