Derby Ace hot on hard-headed import

MANILA, Philippines - B-MEG Derby Ace may tap Shamari Spears to replace Robert Brown even before the start of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup Friday in Laoag City.

Coach Jorge Gallent told The STAR they want to be sure Spears will make the 6-foot-4 height limit before making the final decision.

“I’m afraid he’s over the limit. We have to make it sure he’ll make the ceiling before we allow him to get on the plane,” said Gallent.

The Llamados want to make sure to get a good import who could help improve their fourth-place finish in the recent Philippine Cup.

Derby Ace gave eventual champion Talk n Text a tough fight in their best-of-seven semifinal showdown that lasted six games.

The Llamados are hopeful of a better run in the Commissioners Cup with star frontliner Kerby Raymundo re-joining the team in March.

Raymundo, who underwent surgery at the renowned Kerlan Jobe Clinic in Los Angeles, returns home on March 10.

“He’s ready to play then,” said Gallent.

The Llamados’ biggest concern at the moment, though, is the right import.

Spears could be a good player but he’s listed as 6-foot-6 in his varsity annual.

There’s also his reputation as volatile and emotional.

He was dismissed at the Charlotte 49ers team only last December for his run-in with first-year coach Alan Major.

Charlotte’s main guy, Spears averaged 17 points, 3.2 rebounds, 0.6 assists and 47.2 shooting percentage in five games in the season.

“After much consideration, it is the decision of our coaching staff that Shamari Spears and our team part ways at this time,” Major said in a statement released by the school. “We want to wish him the best in his future endeavors and we will continue to move forward as a team.”

Spears, from Salisbury, North Carolina, transferred to the 49ers from Boston College two seasons ago. He averaged 16 points per game last season and was named to the all-Atlantic 10 third team.

“He’s not easy to coach. If he doesn’t like what you tell him, he’ll tell you. If he doesn’t believe in you, he’ll show you,” said Tom Sorensen in his column with The Observer.

Spears apparently did not believe in Major. He showed it via Twitter by comparing Major with his predecessor Bobby Lutz.

Major suspended Spears, reinstated him and suspended him again.

At Boston College, Spears was also suspended for playing in an unsanctioned summer league game.