Penny in final tour of duty?

Coca-Cola import James Penny said the other day he’s probably not coming back to the PBA after this season because “I’m getting old and it’s getting harder playing with kids” but vowed to go out with a bang.

Penny, who turns 34 on May 21, is playing in his fourth PBA campaign. He made an auspicious debut in 2005-06, leading Red Bull to a 4-2 finals win over Purefoods for the Fiesta Conference title even as the Tender Juicy Giants’ Marquin Chandler took Best Import honors. Penny returned to power Red Bull to third place in the 2006-07 Fiesta Conference then suited up for Coca-Cola as J. J. Sullinger’s replacement last year.

Penny didn’t figure on coming back after the Tigers were ousted by Sta. Lucia Realty in a wildcard knockout game last season. He averaged 26.1 points and 12.7 rebounds in 11 games but his numbers weren’t enough to bring Coca-Cola to the quarterfinals.

Tigers coach Bo Perasol said when he contacted Penny to offer a contract for this conference, the former Texas Christian University forward couldn’t believe it at first.

 “James thanked Coca-Cola management for giving him another chance,” said Perasol. “He told me it’ll probably be his last season in the PBA and wanted to give it his best shot.”

Penny, fresh from playing for Soles de Mexicali in the Mexican league, wasted no time in delivering a strong message that despite his age, he wouldn’t be pushed around in the PBA. Coca-Cola zoomed to a 3-0 start as Penny hit at a 29.7 clip. He shot 32 against Barangay Ginebra but the Tigers lost a 98-91 decision last April 4.

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Then came Coca-Cola’s 79-76 upset over B-Meg Derby Ace last Wednesday. Penny suffered a nasty gash on the right eyebrow that took six stitches to close and sat out the last five minutes of the close contest but his teammates rallied like wounded Tigers to win it for the bloodied import. The cut was inflicted by an unintentional wayward elbow from B-Meg’s Lorenzo Wade.

Penny showed up for practice the day after with a swollen forehead and fresh stitches on his raw wound. He didn’t join the walk-throughs. Perasol prepared for the game against Rain Or Shine the next day without Penny in mind.

Penny, however, refused to take the game off. He came wearing a black protective mask that was specifically fitted and reported for work last Friday. Penny struggled at the start, trying to get comfortable with his mask, then ripped it off starting the second period to finish with 34 points and 10 rebounds in 35 minutes. The Elasto Painters won, 91-80, as Penny’s teammates failed to provide enough firepower support. Penny himself was hampered by his injury and couldn’t play as aggressively, winding up without a single blocked shot when against B-Meg, he swatted away six.

“We thought James wouldn’t play,” said Perasol. “We knew it would be difficult to win without him and maybe, we gave ourselves an excuse to lose. But it wasn’t as if we didn’t try to win. I think if Gary (David), for instance, averaged his usual 20 points, we would’ve won. I take my hat off to James for playing hard and tough. He’s the kind of import any team would want. He’s a fighter and a winner.”

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Perasol said Penny is the right fit for Coca-Cola. “We’ve got locals like Asi (Taulava) and Dennis (Espino) who can take care of big imports like Jai Lewis and Shawn Daniels but I don’t think there’s a local who can defend James at the three or four spot,” said Perasol. “When we decided to bring back James, there were comments that balik-imports usually don’t do well and it was a mistake. Gone are the days of Bobby Parks and Sean Chambers. But we believe in James. We know he’ll do his best to take us to the next level.”

Taulava said he doesn’t mind playing a supporting role in the team. “I’m here to do my part,” said Taulava. “I’ll take care of the inside, rebound and defend. Let James and the other guys do the scoring. It’s my job to keep the team together.”

Taulava said he’s looking forward to playing his former team Talk ‘N’ Text tonight.

Penny has played in Argentina, Mexico and Canada, gaining a reputation as a no-nonsense two-way cager. At Texas Christian, he was known as a defensive specialist and shot blocker. As a senior in 1997-98, he averaged 10.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 20.2 minutes coming off the bench with the Horned Frogs varsity advancing to the NCAA tournament and finishing with a 27-6 record. Two of his teammates were future NBA forward Lee Nailon and Rain Or Shine import Marquise Gainous.

Asked if he’ll use a mask again, Penny shook his head. “No way,” he said. “I’m playing without a mask, no matter what, from now on.”