Barako Bull pinaghahandaan na ang PBA Governors Cup

MANILA, Philippines - Maagang nagbakasyon sa 2013 PBA Commissioner’s Cup, umaasa ang Barako Bull sa isang malakas na pagbabalik sa darating na Governors Cup at  kinumpirma ni consultant Rajko Toroman kahapon ang  pagsabak ng Energy Cola isa isang eight-team tournament sa Dubai sa Mayo 17-24.

Sinimulan ng Barako ang Commissioner’s Cup mula sa 3-1 record kasunod ang anim na dikit na kamalasan at natapos sa 5-9 para sa ninth place. 

Walang idinahilan si Toroman ngunit nanghina-yang sa kanilang pagkatalo sa Alaska ng 4 points at 3 points naman kontra sa Talk ‘N’ Text.

“We’ll resume practice May 2 to train for Dubai,” wika ni Toroman.  “We’ve signed up Othyus Jeffers as our import for the Governors Cup and we’ll bring him with us to Dubai. He’s arriving in Manila to join us for practice May 8.  Our goal won’t be to win the tournament but to gain experience as a team and test guys like (Keith) Jensen, (Dave) Marcelo, Eman (Monfort), J. C. (Intal), Shawn (Weinstein), Sean (Anthony), Doug (Kramer) and Allein (Maliksi).  We’re excited about Jensen whom we’ll try at the four position. Enrico (Villanueva) won’t be able to play in Dubai but may be ready for the Governors Cup in August.”

Sinabi pa ni Toroman na ang pagdadala kay Josh Urbiztondo sa Ginebra San Miguel para kay Jensen at isang draft pick ay isang ‘sugal.’

“We’ll miss Josh’s killer instinct and energy but there were games where he seemed to lack focus, where he looked more to score from the three-point area than to make plays for others,” ani Toroman.  “I think it was a good career move for Josh and I wish him the best.  Besides, we needed to upgrade our four spot and we know Jensen was a big rebounder in the D-League so we went with the trade.”

Matapos makuha si Jensen, sinabi ni Toroman na tinanggihan niya ang mga tarde offers para sa rookie forward.

 â€œWe’re happy with Allein’s development,” sabi ng Serbian coach kay Maliksi na nagtala ng average na 16.8 points sa kanyang huling anim na laro.

Ang Dubai tournament ang siyang susukat sa kakayahan ni Jeffers, ayon kay Toroman.

Maglalaro sa Dubai ang Egypt, Lebanon, Qatar, Libya at ang United Arab Emirates.

Ang 6-5, 210-pounds na si Jeffers ay naglaro para sa Utah, San Antonio at Washington sa NBA.