MERALCO didn’t need to look far for an import replacement.
The Bolts elevated DJ Kennedy from its East Asia Super League (EASL) team to reinforce the team in the PBA Commissioner’s Cup, temporarily taking over the spot of the injured Akil Mitchell.
Listed at 6-foot-6, Kennedy will have his baptism of fire in Asia’s oldest professional league on Friday when Meralco takes on winless Terrafirma at the Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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The import change had to be made after Mitchell went down with a broken nose early in the team’s 121-111 win over Rain or Shine.
Mitchell was relegated to the reserved/injured list by Meralco so he can be reactivated by the team once his injury heals.
Kennedy serves as one of two Meralco imports in the EASL, while naturalized player Ange Kouame suits up as a local.
Nonetheless, the Bolts settled for Kennedy, a former teammate of Barangay Ginebra resident import Justine Brownlee at St. John's.
"DJ is a nice guy to have also," said Meralco coach Luigi Trillo. "He's played overseas, he knows the game, and he's a different dimension."
In the same breath, Terrafirma will parade a new import in its 5 p.m. match against Meralco, bringing in Brandon Edwards for Ryan Richards.
Edwards was supposed to suit up for the Dyip during the Governors’ Cup, but suffered an ACL injury a week before the start of Season 49, prompting the team to replace him with Antonio Hester.
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