OTHYUS Jeffers’ size and versatility should allow Ginebra’s frontcourt duo of Greg Slaughter and Japeth Aguilar to play their game in the import-laced Commissioner’s Cup, according to coach Tim Cone.
Cone spoke highly of the 6-foot-4 Jeffers, impressed with the American’s versatility as a winger and a power forward-type of a player for the Kings after the import joined the team in practice for the first time on Tuesday.
Jeffers played only one game with Talk ‘N Text in the 2014 Governors’ Cup, but that was enough for him to get Cone’s nod as import for Ginebra.
Cone also said the entry of Jeffers will not cut into the minutes of Slaughter and Aguilar in a conference whose height limit is 6-foot-9 for the top eight teams in the Philippine Cup and unlimited for the bottom two.
“He is the kind of guy who can play with Greg and Japeth. A wing player and yet he can still be powerful enough as a power forward,” said Cone to a handful of reporters after Game Two of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup finals between Alaska and San Miguel which he worked as a television analyst.
[See Ginebra eager to see Jeffers fitness as he attends first practice]
Cone noted the importance of Slaughter and Aguilar playing at the same time for their campaign in the Commissioner’s Cup.
“We don’t want to bring in a big man and force Greg and Japeth to split time together. We need those guys on the floor. They need to be on the floor,” said Cone.
Cone said Jeffers took a break from playing for six months after his stint in the NBA Summer League but the Barangay Ginebra coach is confident he can get back in shape in time for the Commissioner’s Cup.
“He is working on his shape a little bit,” said Cone.