MERALCO, the PBA’s newest franchise that had an impressive maiden conference by qualifying for the playoffs, will most likely bring in an explosive import as it seeks to make another memorable stint once the league’s second conference begins next month.

The Bolts are eyeing to acquire the services of Anthony Danridge, a 25-year-old who once won the U.S.

NCAA slam dunk competition. He is a product of University of New Mexico and had just seen action in Lebanon where he played for five games with Byblos.

Meralco team manager Virgil Villavicencio said Friday that Danridge is their primary option to be the franchise’s first-ever import in the PBA. Danridge, though, is listed at 6-foot-5 overseas, but measurements abroad are taken with shoes on.

The PBA’s height limit for the second conference is 6-foot-4.

Despite having a short stint in Lebanon, Danridge left that country with brilliant numbers. He averaged 28 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.8 steals. In his final year in New Mexico in 2008-09, he normed 14.9 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.7 assists. He is the university’s 16th all-time best in scoring, having compiled 1,260 points.

In a related development, the Bolts’ desire to inject experience in their line-up in Junthy Valenzuela suffered a big blow when the former Ginebra guard re-injured his knee during a light workout.

Valenzuela was one player Meralco was eyeing to acquire from the free agent market after losing to Derby Ace in the quarter-finals. The motive in that move was to add experience in a team that needs one while bringing in also a defensive presence.

Zean Macamay, Journal Online