GIVEN the time to regain his old form, Herbert Hill will be an asset for Ginebra.
This statement came from no less than the same import that gave Brgy. Ginebra its last championship, Chris Alexander, who also happens to be the same import Kings fans are clamoring to bring back after Hill's dismal PBA debut on Sunday night.
In an interview with Spin.ph on Tuesday from Seoul, South Korea where he is now playing for the KCC team, the 7-1 Alexander said Hill is a player with a high basketball IQ and excellent skills honed from his long experience in international basketball circuits.
“Hill is a very skilled big man and also has a good IQ for the game," said Alexander while stressing that Hill is not really an inside guy. “But overall, I think he is good."
However, Alexander is also aware that Hill is coming off a long layoff, having been idle since April before he was picked up by Ginebra last January. Alexander said fans and Ginebra management should give the 28-year-old Hill time to show what he is capable of.
“I think, it takes time for it (Hill’s game) to come back … and I think soon it will. That is if they have time to wait," he said.
The charismatic Alexander, one of the most dominant imports to play in the unlimited import height format of the pro league, also believes the league's most popular ballclub will soon return to the top.
“I think Ginebra will rise (again) not only because I still love the team, but because they have that fight in them and it is also very talented," Alexander pointed out. “They just have to get Hill going and they will be okay."
“I love that team and it’s one reason why I was really hurt when they replaced me last year," recalled Alexander, who was Ginebra’s first import in this same conference last year before being replaced by Jackson Vroman.
For now, Alexander is serving out a suspension from Fiba for abandoning his ABL team, Air Asia Philippine Patriots, last year. Spin.ph was informed that Fiba can lift the ban once Alexander pays a fine.
But the Harvey, Illinois native revealed he is open to a return to Ginebra - so long as the team wants him.
“I am always here. But I am not so sure if they even want me back," he said.
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