IT seems NLEX is stopping at nothing to push its title bid in the PBA Governors Cup.
Despite a strong 4-1 (win-loss) start to the conference, the team decided to ditch Olu Ashaolu and replace him with former NBA player Manny Harris.
A known explosive scorer even during his college years at Michigan, the 30-year-old Harris was undrafted in the NBA in 2010 but was good enough to suit up for the Cleveland Cavaliers, LA Lakers, and Dallas Mavericks.
A team insider confirmed the move made by management on Sunday morning, but he refused to be identified pending an official announcement from the organization.
Harris is coming off a stint with Bahcesehir Koleji in the Basketball Super Ligi (BSL) in Turkey prior to getting a call from the Road Warriors.
Ashaolu has actually done well in his fourth tour of duty with NLEX. But his showing in the team's back-to-back outings in Dubai last week left a lot to be desired, especially if the Road Warriors intend to contend for the final championship of the season.
The 31-year-old Nigerian-Canadian scored just 11 points though he had 20 rebounds in the team's 98-94 loss to Dez Wells and the San Miguel Beermen.
He did bounce back with 25 points and seven rebounds the next game against Barangay Ginebra, but fouled out late in regulation, leaving NLEX to battle out the Kings and prevail in overtime, 113-111, behind an all-Filipino crew.
Get more of the latest sports news & updates on SPIN.ph
NOTICE ON UNAUTHORIZED AND UNLAWFUL USE, PUBLICATION, AND/OR DISSEMINATION OF SPIN.PH CONTENT: Please be notified that any unauthorized and unlawful use, publication, and/or dissemination of Spin.ph’s content and/or materials is a direct violation of its legal and exclusive rights to the same, and shall be subject to appropriate legal action/s.
