The Llamados will have to choose between original import Rob Brown and backup Shamari Spears when they open their campaign tomorrow against Rain or Shine in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup at the Astrodome.

Spears planed in just past midnight yesterday and immediately joined the team practice at 10 a.m. yesterday. At first glance, according to former team manager and current PBA chairman Rene Pardo, he seems to have a better all-around game than Brown.

"Mukhang okay, sa tingin ko. May post-up moves, may perimeter, mataas lumundag. Of course, too early to tell and as of now parang tryout pa lang siya," said Pardo of Spears.

That doesn’t mean they are already giving Brown the pink slip.

"Titingnan muna namin ng husto. Baka buwakaw, hindi naman pwede sa amin iyon," maintained Pardo. "Isa pa, mas kabisado na ni Brown ang laro at sistema ng team dahil lahat ng apat na pre-season namin lumaro na siya."

There is also the question of Spears’ official height, which must not exceed the conference’s maximum of 6-foot-4. The former Charlotte 49er has been listed at 6-6 and will be officially measured by league officials today at 1 p.m.

"Pero mataas pa si (6-4 Marc) Pingris kaya tingin ko papasok. Malaki ang katawan, maskulado at maninipis ang mga binti, kaya alam mong jumper," related Pardo.

Which leaves the question of who the Llamados will be fielding come tomorrow’s game.

"That’s a better problem, na dalawa ang pinamimilian. Kesa sa wala," said Pardo.

Noli Cortez, Business Insight Malaya