BONNIE Tan stressed Venky Jois was Northport’s original choice as import for the PBA Governors’ Cup, saying the Australian has already committed to return for the franchise following his stint during the Commissioner’s Cup last year.
Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be available for the Batang Pier’s opening game against TNT that necessitated tapping the services Taylor Johns as temporary import.
“Hindi lang siya umabot ng first game namin, but he was here already. He has some personal commitments nga lang,” said Tan after Northport finally suited up the 31-year-old Australian on Friday against Terrafirma at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
“Kaya nga we have our back-up import in Taylor Johns.”
READ NorthPort routs Terrafirma upon Jois return
Northport’s decision to change import early into the season-opening conference caught many by surprise especially after Johns fell a single assist short of a triple double in his PBA debut.
Johns finished with 36 points, 16 rebounds, and nine assists, but not enough for the Batang Pier to topple the TNT Tropang Giga, 101-95.
“We all know na he played well. Di rin naman tayo kukuha ng hindi rin maayos,” said Tan of Johns.
But he added Jois now serves as the resident import of Northport, like Justine Brownlee is to Barangay Ginebra and Allen Durham is to Meralco.
“We have a commitment talaga with Venkie based on the last conference (that we had him),” said Tan.
The Aussie led the Batang Pier to the playoffs of the Commissioner’s Cup, but lost to Barangay Ginebra in the quarterfinals.
“Nagkaroon ng mutual understanding na that he will be back as our resident import sa Northport,” added the Batang Pier coach.
Venkie went to work right away for the Batang Pier as he finished with a double-double of 16 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists in the team’s 112-93 rout of Terrafirma for its breakthrough win in the conference.
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