Based on their credentials and games played so far, Talk N Text, Rain or Shine and Meralco believe they have imports who can complement their local players and prop up their bids for the mid-season title.

The Tropang Texters, in particular, are hoping they have found a perfect reinforcement in Paul Harris who can power them to an import-laden tournament championship for the first time. All of the Manny V. Pangilinan-owned franchise’s three titles have come from all-Filipino tourneys.

"I have yet to see him play, but from what I’ve heard he could be the perfect complement for our team," coach Chot Reyes said of Harris, a former Syracuse Orangeman who has been in the country since last month.

"He’s been participating in some pickup games with some of our players and some of my staff says he has all the tools and skills to be the kind of import we want," Reyes added. "But, again, it will still all depend on how he performs in actual games."

Harris, 24, has played under legendary Syracuse coach Jim Boeheim alongside current NBA campaigners Jonny Flynn, Michael Beasley and Derrick Caracter. He tried out with the Utah Jazz and Minnesota Timberwolves and recently saw action for the Maine Red Claws in the NBDL.
The Elasto Painters’ Hassan Adams and the Bolts’ Anthony Dandridge have equally impressive credentials.

Adams is a certified NBA veteran, having played with the New Jersey Nets, Toronto Raptors and LA Clippers. He was Andre Iguodala’s teammate and regular roommate at Arizona and was a member of the US under-21 team in 2004.

"He’s versatile, a good all-around player with a high basketball IQ," said coach Yeng Guiao of Adams. "He’s a team player with the ability to score when needed most and blends well with the team on and off the court."

Dandridge emerged as the 2009 US NCAA slam dunk champion while playing for New Mexico and is coming off a stint in the Lebanese Basketball League, where he ranked second behind Lebanon national team stalwart Fadi El Khatib in scoring, averaging 28.0 points per game.

Meralco team manager Virgil Villavicencio said Dandridge should help ease the pressure off Macmac Cardona and Sol Mercado while putting on some plays for the highlight reel.

"May isang instance nga, fastbreak at na kay Macmac ang bola," related Villavicencio of one particular play during a scrimmage. "Nakita niya na scooting from the other side si Tony so bumitaw ng floater niya si Macmac, pero hindi actually tira dahil wide ng ring. Kinuha ni Tony sa ere ang bola and dunked it home with both hands."

Other reinforcements for the tournament featuring imports no taller than 6-foot-4 are Air21’s JaJuan Smith,Powerade’s Russell Carter, Alaska’s Larry Williams, Ginebra’s Nate Brumfield, B-MEG Derby Ace Robert Brown and San Miguel Beer’s Ira Brown.

Guest team Smart Gilas has 6-10 Marcus Douthit, the Nationals’ candidate for naturalization.

Noli Cortez, Business Insight Malaya