IS a Meralco-Allen Durham reunion in the cards for the coming PBA Governors’ Cup?
The possibility of the three-time Best Import awardee returning to the country to wear anew the Bolts’ orange and blue jersey looms after Durham bid farewell to the Ryukyu Golden Kings in the Japan B. League.
The Kings have been home to the 35-year-old Durham for the past three years where he won a B. League championship last year.
READ Allen Durham back in Manila, but not for a Meralco comeback
But Ryukyu failed to retain its title this season, losing to the Hiroshima Dragonflies in the finals, 2-1.
Asked about the possibility of tapping Durham anew, Meralco coach Luigi Trillo said the do-it-all import is under consideration, but there’s no guarantee yet at this point.
“Yeah, we’ve heard about that (Durham parting ways with Ryukyu). But we have to discuss it among us first, me, coach Nenad (Vucinic), and Paolo (Trillo),” said Trillo.
“But who wouldn’t want Allen?” he added. “He’s been like a family to us and he’s been with us for so many years.”
At the same time, Trillo said the Bolts are currently focused on their campaign for a first- ever franchise championship as they are in the middle of their battle against San Miguel in the Philippine Cup Finals, which they lead, 2-1.
Durham played four times for the Bolts in previous Governors’ Cup editions starting in 2016. Three times he led the franchise to a runner up finish behind Barangay Ginebra while also winning the Best Import Award each time.
He was set for a Meralco comeback in 2021, but was advised to take the B.League offer by Ryukyu since there was no guarantee about the PBA holding an import-laden conference back then during the time of the pandemic.
But the coming Season 49 of the league will have the Governors’ Cup kicking off the new PBA calendar and with a 6-foot-6 and below height limit for imports, making the return of Durham more possible.
Prior to his stint with Meralco, the Wyoming, Michigan native suited up for Barako Bull during the 2014 season.
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