The Tropang Texters will be parading Syracuse stalwart Paul Harris in the import-laden meet that begins Feb. 18 in Laoag City.

The 6-foot-3 Harris, a second All-USA team member in 2006 during his high school years at Niagara Falls and later, at Notre Dame Prep in Massachussetts, arrived in the country as early as the all-Filipino Finals, giving him exactly an impression of the kind of game the telecommunication franchise needs from him.

And coach Chot Reyes said Harris could just be what the doctors ordered for a team which boasts of an offensive caliber line-up behind Jimmy Alapag, Jason Castro, Ryan Reyes, Ranidel de Ocampo, Kelly Williams, Larry Fonacier, Jared Dilinger, Harvey Carey, Ali Peek, among others.

“He may be the best defensive import we might see to have played here,” said Reyes of the 24-year-old Harris, whom he describes as an `excellent defender, has the ability to get rebounds and ability to play the power forward spot.’

Ironically, the Tropang Texters have yet to win a tournament championship with imports.

Like Talk `N Text, crowd favorite Ginebra San Miguel also addressed its need by signing 6-foot-3 bruiser Nathan Brumfield, who, according to coach Jong Uichico, is a certified `inside player.’

His inside game is expected to complement the guard-heavy roster of the Kings, and at the same time, add a solid presence which the team sorely lacks at the post.

Philippine Cup runner-up San Miguel opted to go even bigger this conference with the addition of Ira Brown, initially listed as the tallest at 6-4, but came in at 6-3 (13/16) when officially measured by the Commissioner’s Office.

With big men Kerby Raymundo and Raffy Reavies still doubtful this conference, Derby Ace likewise enlisted another banger in Robert Brown Jr., a 6-3 power guard who has a rich experience playing overseas that included stints in Australia, Dominican Republic, Argentina, Mexico, Iran, and Israel.

Rookie franchise Meralco, meanwhile, added one more deadly scorer to its already formidable backcourt in 2009 U.S. NCAA Slamdunk champion Anthony Dandridge.

The former University of Mexico guard easily gives the Bolts another high-caliber offensive option behind MacMac Cardona, one of the league’s highest scoring star, and Sol Mercado, recently acquired by the squad in a three-team trade that involved Rain or Shine and Air21.

Dandridge, one of two imports with the best credentials in this year’s batch, suffered a grade 1 hamstring strain in practice, but not serious enough to prevent him from suiting up for the Bolts’ opening day game against the Kings.

Two players coming from highly-respected U.S. college basketball programs will reinforce Alaska and Powerade, respectively. The Aces will be leaning on former Wake Forest standout Larry Demetrius Williams, who replaced the over-height Eddie Basden, while Russel Demetrius Carter out of Notre Dame, is suiting up for the Tigers.

Lacking another go-to-guy following the departure of Mercado, Rain or Shine brought a highly-caliber reinforcement in the person of Hassan Adams, the only import who boasts an NBA credentials after seeing action for the New Jersey Nets and the Toronto Raptors. He also played for venerable college coach Lute Olton with the University of Arizona Wildcats.

Air21 has decided to replace Jajuan Stane Smith, the smallest import at 6-1, described by team manager Allan Gregorio as `one dimensional.’

“We need a multiple position player who can do a lot more,” said Gregorio of Smith, whose lack of height limits him tending the backcourt and sharing playing minutes with the team’s resident playmakers Wynne Arboleda, Joshua Urbiztondo and Lou Gatumbato.

Gregorio said they are considering Alpha Bangura, who reinforced Libya’s national team in the 2009 FIBA Africa Championship, as Smith’s replacement.