ZAMBOANGA Valientes confirmed that it is in negotiations to tap the services of former NBA superstar Dwight Howard in the coming The Asian Tournament.
Team owner Junnie Navarro said on Saturday no deal has been reached between the two parties, although the 38-year-old three-time NBA Defensive Player of the Year expressed his desire to don the Valientes jersey.
Bridge to Howard
Navarro added executives of The Asian Tournament were actually the ones who opened the door for the franchise to negotiate with the former No. 1 overall pick of the Orlando Magic.
“As of the moment, nasa 70 percent (na) according sa kanya (Howard) na maglalaro siya,” said Navarro when the Valientes presented the core of the team that will see action in the regional meet set to kick off on April 19.
“Hindi pa namin puwedeng sabihin na talagang maglalaro na siya. Hopefully, matuloy yung deal.”
The Valientes being reinforced by ex-NBA stars is nothing new.
Last year, two-time NBA champion Mario Chalmers suited up for Zamboanga during the ASEAN Basketball League Invitational tournament, where he teamed up with another ex-NBA player in Renaldo Balkman.
The 39-year-old Balkman, who previously saw action with San Miguel in the PBA, came in as replacement for Michael Beasley, whose negotiations with Zamboanga came a little bit late.
But even until now, Navarro said he’s still in talks with both Chalmers and Beasley.
“Nag-uusap na rin kami ni Mario Chalmers na kino-consider pa rin ang magbalik sa Zamboanga, tsaka si Michael Beasley nag-usap kami. Pero hopefully, matuloy itong kay Dwight Howard.
The 6-foot-10 Howard, who won an NBA championship with the LA Lakers in 2020, was in the country last January and played for the Strong Group Athletics that finished runner-up in the Dubai International Basketball Championship.
Valientes lineup
Even without Howard though, the Valientes have formed a very competitive roster for TAT.
Zamboanga’s lineup is composed of UAAP MVP Malick Diouf, veterans Rudy Lingganay and Mike Tolomia, Peter Alfaro of NCAA men’s basketball champion San Beda, AJ Benson of St. Benilde, Jerome Ferrer, Das Esa, Joewish Gracia, Job Alcantara, Med Salim, Franky Johnson, and import Nick Evans, who played for Rain or Shine in last year’s Jones Cup.
Coaching the team is Bobedick Delos Santos.
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