WITH a bid to tap Mahdi Kamrani falling through, Meralco has decided to bring in another Iranian guard in Benny Koochoie to serve as the team’s Asian import in the PBA Governors Cup.
Koochoie, listed at 6-foot-3, is coming off a stint with the Shahrdari Gorgan Municipality in Iran’s Super League, averaging 11.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists this past season.
The combo guard also had stints with Iran's national junior and men's teams.
“Benny is also pretty good. He was part of the Iranian youth national team and played for some of Iran’s national teams, but not in the Fiba-Asia team,” Meralco team manager Paolo Trillo told Spin.ph.
The 29-year-old Iranian guard can bring in additional offense to Meralco's backcourt and could even help veteran point guard Mike Cortez in the playmaking chores.
Koochoie and NBA veteran Hamed Haddadi became the first Iranians to see action in the Chinese Basketball Association during the 2013 season.
He played for the Jiangsu Dragons, averaging 4.5 points, 2.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists.
Kamrani, the starting guard of Iran's national team, decided to forego a stint with the Bolts saying he didn't want to be away for too long from his pregnant wife.
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